| Abstract [eng] |
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health disorders and are associated with poorer social, occupational, physical, and overall functioning. Although effective treatment methods for anxiety disorders exist, only one quarter of affected individuals receive treatment. In order to improve access to mental health care services, increasing attention is being given to technological treatment solutions for anxiety disorders, including virtual reality therapy. Aim: to summarize scientific literature data on the application of virtual reality therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Objectives: to review the advantages and limitations of virtual reality therapy; to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias; and to evaluate the acceptability and adverse events of virtual reality therapy. Methods: a search of scientific literature was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords and their combinations, as well as inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 69 publications were selected. Results. Virtual reality therapy is defined as the use of virtual reality technologies for therapeutic purposes. In most studies, it was applied for exposure purposes, and less frequently for relaxation and mindfulness. This intervention was used either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapeutic methods. Virtual reality therapy had a positive effect in the treatment of anxiety disorders; however, the quantity and strength of evidence varied across different disorders. In addition, some studies assessed the acceptability and adverse events of virtual reality therapy. Conclusions. Virtual reality therapy may be more appealing treatment option for patients, as it is conducted in a safe, controlled and individualized virtual environment. This method ensures confidentiality, requires fewer logistical resources, is easier to organize, and enables the recreation of situations that would be costly or difficult to implement in real-life settings. However, the application of virtual reality therapy may be limited by insufficient realism in virtual environments, financial factors, technical issues, system complexity, and a lack of practitioner skills. Furthermore, this method may be contraindicated for some patients and may cause adverse events. Overall, virtual reality therapy is effective in reducing symptoms of specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. In the case of generalized anxiety disorder, the available evidence is more limited, precluding firm conclusions regarding its effectiveness. Studies evaluating the acceptability and adverse effects of virtual reality therapy have reported favorable acceptability and low frequency of adverse effects; however, these aspects have been investigated in a limited number of studies, and therefore conclusions remain limited. |
