Affective outcomes of virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety and specific phobias: A meta-analysis
Abstract
Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is an increasingly common treatment for anxiety and specific phobias. Lacking is a quantitative meta-analysis that enhances understanding of the variability and clinical significance of anxiety reduction outcomes after VRET. Searches of electronic databases yielded 52 studies, and of these, 21 studies (300 subjects) met inclusion criteria. Although meta-analysis revealed large declines in anxiety symptoms following VRET, moderator analyses were limited due to inconsistent reporting in the VRET literature. This highlights the need for future research studies that report uniform and detailed information regarding presence, immersion, anxiety and/or phobia duration, and demographics.
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Heterogeneity of VRET designs leads to inconsistent quantitative data gathering, making higher hierarchical evidence-based conclusions through systematic reviews and meta-analysis impossible.
“The heterogenicity of designs leads to inconsistent quantitative data gathering, making it impossible to achieve higher hierarchical evidence-based conclusions through systematic reviews and meta-analysis [135].”
From SAFEvR MentalVeRse.app: Development of a Free Immersive Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia and Claustrophobia (2024) · cites this paper as [135]
VRET has shown efficacy for treating specific phobias, including FP, in several studies.
“it has shown its efficacy for treating specific phobias (including FP) in several studies (Botella et al., 2017; Parsons and Rizzo, 2008)”
From An Internet-based treatment for Flying Phobia using 360° images: Study protocol for a feasibility pilot study (2021) · cites this paper as Parsons and Rizzo, 2008
The aim of in vivo exposure treatment is to promote emotional regulation using systematic and controlled therapeutic exposure to traumatic stimuli.
“The aim of in vivo exposure treatment is to promote emotional regulation using systematic and controlled therapeutic exposure to traumatic stimuli [191].”
From Impact of Media-Induced Uncertainty on Mental Health: Narrative-Based Perspective. (2025) · cites this paper as [191]
Both groups received an active psychotherapy with documented efficacy for the treatment of terrorist-related chronic PTSD.
“This is especially impressive given that both groups received an active psychotherapy with documented efficacy for the treatment of terrorist-related chronic PTSD (Difede et al, 2007; Parsons and Rizzo, 2008).”
From D-cycloserine augmentation of exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: a pilot randomized clinical trial (2014) · cites this paper as Parsons and Rizzo, 2008
The results further confirm VRET's potential in treating phobias.
“As in previous meta-analyses [9,10], the results further confirm VRET's potential in treating these problems.”
From Recent Progress in Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Phobias: A Systematic Review (2017) · cites this paper as [9]
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- Authors
- Parsons, T. D., & Rizzo, A. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Southern California (US)
- Corresponding author
- Parsons, Thomas D.
- Venue
- Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008-09
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 250-261
- ISSN
- 0005-7916 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2080509533
- Cited by
- 994
- References
- 56
- Citations by year
- 2026: 38 · 2025: 56 · 2024: 63 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 59 · 2021: 69 · 2020: 83 · 2019: 101 · 2018: 84 · 2017: 53 · 2016: 50 · 2015: 47 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 42 · 2012: 34
- FWCI
- 3.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- virtual reality exposure therapy, anxiety disorders, specific phobia, anxiety reduction, treatment outcomes, presence, immersion
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety Disorders, Forecasting, Humans, Implosive Therapy, Phobic Disorders, Research Design, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, User-Computer Interface, Treatment Outcome, Sample Size
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