Recent Progress in Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Phobias: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This review is designed to systematically examine the available evidence about virtual reality exposure therapy's (VRET) efficacy for phobias, critically describe some of the most important challenges in the field and discuss possible directions. Evidence reveals that virtual reality (VR) is an effective treatment for phobias and useful for studying specific issues, such as pharmacological compounds and behavioral manipulations, that can enhance treatment outcomes. In addition, some variables, such as sense of presence in virtual environments, have a significant influence on outcomes, but further research is needed to better understand their role in therapeutic outcomes. We conclude that VR is a useful tool to improve exposure therapy and it can be a good option to analyze the processes and mechanisms involved in exposure therapy and the ways this strategy can be enhanced. In the coming years, there will be a significant expansion of VR in routine practice in clinical contexts.

Virtual reality during pediatric vascular access: A pragmatic, prospective randomized, controlled trial

“…Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to acutely reduce pain in patients undergoing wound dressing changes in those with burns and in those undergoing chronic pain rehabilitation . Certain VR experiences have also been used to reduce anxiety and phobias . VR's proposed mechanism of analgesia is through cognitive load modulation, providing an acute distraction from an inciting event .…”

“…7 Certain VR experiences have also been used to reduce anxiety and phobias. 8 VR's proposed mechanism of analgesia is through cognitive load modulation, providing an acute distraction from an inciting event. [8][9][10] Anxiety reduction may be due to not just distraction, but also active involvement in an experience that promotes relaxation.…”

“…8 VR's proposed mechanism of analgesia is through cognitive load modulation, providing an acute distraction from an inciting event. [8][9][10] Anxiety reduction may be due to not just distraction, but also active involvement in an experience that promotes relaxation. 11 Given VR's recent reduction in costs, increased commercial availability, and ease of use, VR may be a reasonable tool to reduce fear and pain associated with pediatric vascular access.…”

Enable, Reconnect and Augment: A New ERA of Virtual Nature Research and Application

“…It is believed that systems with a high level of immersion will increase the likelihood of inducing feelings of presence. Furthermore, presence is considered pivotal to the effectiveness of the virtual environment, as it relates to the virtual environment's ability to fulfill its purpose [26][27][28]. In the case of IVN, this translates into the ability of the IVN to elicit similar responses as interactions with real nature.…”

The Equivalence between Virtual and Real Feared Stimuli in a Phobic Adult Sample: A Neuroimaging Study

“…There are several reasons for this efficacy: VR is an intermediate step in graduated exposure, a safe condition in which to train patients to cope with real stimuli. VR also enhances exposure when VRET is combined with in vivo exposure [5][6][7][8][9][10]. Interestingly, two processes in the functioning of VR can be inferred from these explanations: VR accurately represents real stimuli (exposure process [8]), and VR is an opportunity to cope with a distressing stimulus (training process [11,12]).…”