Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Patients with Phobic Disorder: A Systematic Review

Description

Page: 69-77

Vithlani Vrushali¹ and Panchal Dimple²
(National Forensic Science University, Rohini, Delhi¹ and Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Viskhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh²)

This review is structured to systematically study the currently known evidence about Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) pertaining to phobias and to analyze important combinations and comparisons of VRET with other psychological interventions. Randomized Control Trial testing studies published in English and peer-reviewed journals with clinically diagnosed patients of phobia were included. PubMed, Scopus, and ResearchGate along with other databases from January 2000 to October 2022 were utilized. Bias like randomization, blinding, allocation sequence concealment, discriminatory result reporting, and others were evaluated. Forty-four research using VRET were included in this review, 11 research were on social phobia, 8 were on agoraphobia, 20 were on different specific phobias and 5 other research had combinations of phobias. VRET proved to be effective as a standalone treatment for phobias and its efficacy increased when combined with pharmacological, cognitive, or augmented reality interventions. This review also discussed the high efficacy of inexpensive gears and the difference in efficacy created by session specifications. The cumulative evidence is now conclusive that the addition of medications or cognitive behavioral therapy to VRET for multiple sessions reduces phobic symptoms among patients with phobias. The potential of person-focused interventions in clinics with VRET depends on its long-term outcome and the knowledge of the technician, further research and modules should be created for the same.