The efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for PTSD symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Proof of Concept of an Eclectic, Integrative Therapeutic Approach to Mental Health and Well-Being Through Virtual Reality Technology

“…For example, referring specifically to treatment for trauma and stressor-related disorders, clinical research published to date is almost exclusively limited to the evaluation of VR applications for exposure therapy (VRET), a treatment based on the principles of extinguishing conditioned fears by repeatedly habituating participants to stimuli reminiscent of their traumatic memories (Foa and Kozak, 1986). A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies including a total 759 participants demonstrated that VRET reduced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms compared to inactive control groups (e.g., waitlist) with a moderate effect size, but no significant differences were found when comparing VRET with active control groups (e.g., non-VR exposure therapy) (Deng et al, 2019). Moreover, effect sizes were seen to correlate positively with increasing number of sessions and to be maintained at 3-and 6-month follow-ups (Deng et al, 2019).…”

“…A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies including a total 759 participants demonstrated that VRET reduced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms compared to inactive control groups (e.g., waitlist) with a moderate effect size, but no significant differences were found when comparing VRET with active control groups (e.g., non-VR exposure therapy) (Deng et al, 2019). Moreover, effect sizes were seen to correlate positively with increasing number of sessions and to be maintained at 3-and 6-month follow-ups (Deng et al, 2019). One can conclude from these results that VRET is more effective than no treatment, but not more effective than non-VR exposure therapy.…”

The age of cyberpsychology: An overview.

“…VEs and VR exposure therapy simulations have since exploded with demonstrated statistical significance and clinical effectiveness for addressing many social and psychological issues, including a range of phobias (e.g., heights, flying, spiders, small spaces, storms) (Botella et al, 2000;Miloff et al, 2019), stress management in physically ill patients (Schneider & Workman, 1999), trauma/PTSD (Gerardi et al, 2008;Rizzo et al, 2014;Rothbaum et al, 2001), body image disturbances and eating disorders (Ferrer-García et al, 2017;Riva & Melis, 1997), and pain reduction (Hoffman et al, 2000;Wiederhold et al, 2014). Meta-analysis of randomized control trials of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) for many anxiety and related disorders and depressive symptoms show moderate-to-large effects, as well as long-range effects at 6-and 12-month follow-ups (Carl et al, 2019;Deng et al, 2019). However, mixed results have been demonstrated for differential effects of VRET versus in vivo conditions.…”

Research and Development of Virtual Reality Somatosensory Game based on Unity3D and Exercise Bike

“…At this stage, the system creates a mask in the depth-of-field image for each tracked human body, and removes background objects (such as chairs and furniture). In the figure 3, we present the platforms [16].…”