Virtual reality-based exposure therapy for anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis for randomized controlled trials / 中国心理卫生杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To review the efficacy of virtual reality-based exposure therapy (VRET) for anxiety disorders. Methods: Through literature search, 31 studies that used randomized controlled trial design to examine the efficacy of VRET for anxiety disorders between 1995 and 2017 were recruited. The sample size was 1231. The data of these studies were converted to effect sizes in order to conduct the meta-analysis. Results: Comparing to the waiting list, VRET group showed lower level of anxiety (Hedge's g = 1.027, 95％ CI:0.75 - 1.30) and subjective distress (Hedge's g = 1.018, 95％ CI:0.18 -1.84). VRET group gained more improvements in cognition (Hedge's g=1.092, 95％ CI:0.34 -1.84), behavior (Hedge's g =0.550, 95％ CI: 0.19 -0.91) and psychophysiological index (Hedge's g =0.652, 95％ CI:0.11 -1.42). The effects of VRET remained 6 months or 1 year after the treatment. The random effects analysis showed that traditional treatment was not significantly more effective than VRET(Hedge's g= -0.028, 95％ CI: -0.21 -0.15). Conclusion:It suggests that virtual reality-based exposure therapy tends to be a viable treatment option for anxiety disorders.