<p>Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) for Anxiety Due to Fear of COVID-19 Infection: A Case Series</p>

Abstract

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is becoming popular for treating phobia and anxiety disorder. The recent pandemic of COVID-19 not only causes infection per se but also has an impact on mental health. This case series aimed to explore the role of VRET in the intervention of psychiatric illnesses with chief complaints of fear of COVID-19 infection. In vivo exposure therapy for fear of COVID-19 infection is not possible due to the risk of virus infection; in this scenario, the VRET provides an immersive experience and can act as adjunctive therapy for treating phobias and anxiety disorders arising due to novel coronavirus pandemic. Clinical presentation and findings as well as management and procedures of VRET are discussed. Medical record of three patients (two male and one female) at the Shenzhen Mental Health Center (Shenzhen Kangning Hospital), China, was included in the present case series. Patients were assessed with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Fear of COVID-19 Scale to measure anxiety and fear, respectively. Throughout VRET sessions, we gradually and systematically exposed the patient to virtual COVID-19 scenarios (for example, touching stained door handle which may have viruses, watching pandemic news, watching frontline health care workers, etc.). In our study, VRET intervention significantly reduced the related symptoms caused by fear of COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, virtual reality can provide relevant theoretical and practical support for exploring the remote psychological counseling of patients in isolation wards.

Digital mental health in China: a systematic review

“…One case-series study (Zhang et al, 2020 ) investigated the effects of VR exposure therapy reducing anxiety due to COVID-19 infection in three participants. Anxiety symptoms decreased significantly at post-treatment; phobic symptoms (i.e.…”

Mental health professionals views and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on implementing digital mental health in China: A nationwide survey study

“…Most of the impacts, if not all, can be addressed by expanding the integration of DHTs into clinical workflows, and efforts to develop DHTs specifically targeting mental healthcare during COVID-19 have been seen in China. For example, online interventions for situational insomnia ( Zhang et al, 2021a ) and common mental health problems ( Song et al, 2021 ) during the pandemic, a virtual reality exposure therapy for fear of COVID-19 infection ( Zhang et al, 2020b ), and a peer support programme for frontline healthcare workers via social media ( Cheng et al, 2020 ), were developed and tested. Almost all respondents agreed that DHTs were useful during the pandemic and expressed high levels of willingness to use DHT after the pandemic, suggesting that adopting DHTs for clinical services may be a promising solution for China's mental health services to deal with the new normal.…”

Mental health and psychosocial interventions to limit the adverse psychological effects of disasters and emergencies in China: a scoping review

“…65 The 4 case studies assessed the efficacy of emotional support plus progressive muscle relaxation therapy, 27 interpersonal psychotherapy, 36 dialectical behaviour therapy, 82 and virtual reality exposure therapy. 49 Target outcomes. Our review finds that anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders are commonly observed following disasters and are frequently the focus of post-disaster MHPSS interventions.…”

“…35,37,38,47 Other frequently mentioned psychotherapies include interpersonal therapy, 30,36 cognitive therapy, 26,27 and exposure therapy. 49,77 Psychopharmacological interventions (including treatment with alprazolam, paroxetine, diazepam and Chinese herbal formulae) were used in four studies. 26,51,78,79 Mental health education, psychological counselling, and other supportive interventions.…”