VR technology has the potential to treat anxiety

The treatment of anxiety disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and other specific fears that have been demonstrated to have a negative impact on participation, can be done effectively and affordably with virtual reality (VR).

 An analysis of articles published between 2017 and 2021 on the topic of using virtual reality to treat mental health disorders turned up 369 articles, of which 34 clinical studies remained. The majority of these studies coupled immersive virtual reality environments and simulations with cognitive behavioral therapy, a common approach to treating anxiety. According to this recent review of the literature, research on virtual reality has largely concentrated on treating anxiety, with little research being done on the potential of VR for treating depression. 

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Through interfaces like sensory gloves, users of virtual reality are able to engage with realistic 3D visual landscapes as well as other senses. Early in the new millennium, the use of a VR gaming system called Snow World, which was discovered to be able to lessen pain levels in burn wound treatment, brought virtual reality into the field of health care. 

Treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias including test anxiety, public speaking anxiety, and anxiety connected to driving have all shown promise when paired with cognitive behavioral therapy and virtual reality. However, participant sample sizes for the majority of studies in this field range from 2 to 115. All of the studies provided simulated settings using head-mounted displays rather than projection-based displays. 

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The most widely used VR therapy was VR exposure therapy (VRET). A feared object or anxiety-inducing experience is purposefully shown to participants as part of virtual reality exposure treatment, a behavioral technique. Anxiety for social anxiety and stage fright with VRET has been effective. The idea is that regular exposure to this upsetting virtual environment over time can lessen anxiety. Participants can experience a simulated world safely and privately via virtual reality, and it gives them the ability to interact in real time with therapists. People with social anxiety, for instance, were put in a fictitious office or job interview, and those with a fear of public speaking were put in a fictitious classroom or conference room. 

The potential of music therapy can potentially be expanded through virtual reality technology. In one study, participants were given access to a virtual performance space where they may sing and act. Another study employed a virtual painting tool in VR to improve art therapy. Additionally, VR has been utilized to conduct beneficial games and workouts, as well as to deliver neurofeedback and biofeedback. 

Hopefully, virtual reality technology will become more widely available as it develops and grows. Virtual reality is a practical and innovative technology to improve and make established kinds of treatments for anxiety and depression more effective.