Introduction:
Virtual reality (VR) has demonstrated usability, acceptability, and clinical benefits in various healthcare settings. In palliative care, it is increasingly employed to help manage physical and psychological symptoms.


Purpose:
To systematically review the scientific literature on the use of virtual reality in palliative care across the lifespan.


Method:
A systematic search was conducted across five databases from inception to June 2025 using keywords such as "Virtual Reality," "Palliative Care," and "End-of-Life." Titles and abstracts were independently screened using Covidence software, followed by independent full-text reviews. In the final phase, four reviewers conducted data extraction, assessed the level of VR immersion, study quality, and reported adverse effects.


Results:
Out of 1,395 records identified, 54 studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall quality of studies was rated as good, with most utilizing highly immersive VR experiences. The majority of studies included mixed populations of adults and older adults, while only a small number focused exclusively on children or the elderly. Adverse effects were reported in 9% of the studies. VR was applied across a range of contexts with positive outcomes, including clinical symptom management in end-of-life care and life-limiting conditions, oncological palliative care, palliative care training, caregiver support, and decision-making at the end of life.


Conclusion:
Virtual reality is a safe, user-friendly, and effective non-pharmacological intervention for managing physical and psychological symptoms in individuals receiving palliative care across the lifespan. It also serves as a valuable tool for caregiver support and education in palliative care settings.