Using Extended Reality to Enhance Effectiveness and Group Identification in Remote Group Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: A Critical Analysis
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Abstract
Group therapy is a scalable and effective treatment for anxiety disorders. However, when performed online, the reduced ability to identify with group members and the reduced interactivity can limit its appeal and effectiveness. Extended reality (XR) technology, including virtual reality and augmented reality, may help address these limitations, thereby enhancing the reach of online group therapy and the benefits that can be drawn from it. To understand how the incorporation of XR technology may improve online group therapy for anxiety disorders, this viewpoint paper examines evidence related to the treatment of anxiety disorders using offline group therapy, online group therapy, and virtual reality, as well as ways to increase social identification and interactivity with the platform, the therapist, and other users. This viewpoint paper suggests ways to integrate these research streams to leverage the strengths of XR platforms and improve group therapeutic offerings.
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Bouguettaya and Aboujaoude [43] found that group identification in social influence (SI) has a certain impact on students' acceptance of AR-based therapy for anxiety disorders.
“Bouguettaya and Aboujaoude [43] found that group identification in social influence (SI) has a certain impact on students’ acceptance of AR-based therapy for anxiety disorders.”
From Advancing Undergraduate Student Mental Healthcare of Social Anxiety Disorder: Evaluating the Acceptance of AR-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Through TAM-Based Constructs. (2026) · cites this paper as [43]
The Introduction section on group therapy dynamics says identification with a treatment group may improve anxiety-treatment outcomes, and the Conclusions suggest XR could enhance social identification. The paper does not report a finding about students’ acceptance of AR-based therapy or assess social influence as a factor in that acceptance. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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- Authors
- Bouguettaya, A., & Aboujaoude, E.
- Affiliations
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Aboujaoude, Elias
- Venue
- JMIR Formative Research
- Publisher
- JMIR Publications Inc.
- Published
- 2024-11-04
- Volume
- 8
- Pages
- e64494
- ISSN
- 2561-326X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC11574495
- OpenAlex
- W4402616828
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 65
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5
- FWCI
- 1.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- JMIR Formative Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
- Keywords
- extended reality, virtual reality, augmented reality, online group therapy, anxiety disorders, group identification, social identification, interactivity, external beam radiotherapy, group therapy effectiveness
- MeSH terms
- Virtual Reality, Anxiety Disorders, Humans, Psychotherapy, Group
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