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Cited by 147Virtual Reality Applications and ImpactsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesDigital Mental Health Interventions

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 66 of the 66 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Virtual reality exposure in anxiety disorders: Impact on psychophysiological reactivity

Diemer, Julia, Mühlberger, Andreas, Pauli, Paul, Zwanzger, Peter·2014·The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry
DOI 10.3109/15622975.2014.892632
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Anxiety disorders are among the most frequently encountered psychiatric disorders. Recommended treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and/or medication. In recent years, beneficial effects of virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy have been shown, making this technique a promising addition to CBT. However, the ability of VR to mimic threatening stimuli in a way comparable to in vivo cues has been discussed. In particular, it has been questioned whether VR is capable of provoking psychophysiological symptoms of anxiety. Since psychophysiological arousal is considered a prerequisite for effective exposure treatment, this systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence for the potential of VR exposure to evoke and modulate psychophysiological fear reactions. METHODS: PubMed and PsycINFO/Academic Search Premier databases were searched. Thirty-eight studies investigating challenge or habituation effects were included. RESULTS: VR exposure does provoke psychophysiological arousal, especially in terms of electrodermal activity. Results on psychophysiological habituation in VR are inconclusive. Study design and methodological rigour vary widely. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several limitations, this review provides evidence that VR exposure elicits psychophysiological fear reactions in patients and healthy subjects, rendering VR a promising treatment for anxiety disorders, and a potent research tool for future investigations of psychophysiological processes and their significance during exposure treatment.

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Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. Cloos JM, 2005, Curr Opin Psychiatry, 18, 45
  2. Gamito P, 2007, Annu Rev CyberTherapy Telemed, 5, 191
  3. Mühlberger A, 2005, Annu Rev CyberTherapy Telemed, 3, 185
  4. Mühlberger A, 2008, J CyperTherapy Rehabil, 1, 147
  5. Orman EK, 2003, JRME, 51, 302
  6. Pull CB, 2005, Curr Opin Psychiatry, 18, 7
  7. Saraiva T, 2007, Annu Rev Cyber Therapy Telemed, 5, 199
  8. Wiederhold BK, 1998, Stud Health Technol Inform, 58, 52
  9. Wiederhold BK, 2005, Annu Rev CyberTherapy Telemed, 3, 109

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Metadata

Authors
Diemer, J., Mühlberger, A., Pauli, P., & Zwanzger, P.
Affiliations
  • University Hospital Münster (DE)
  • University of Regensburg (DE)
  • University of Würzburg (DE)
Corresponding author
Diemer, Julia
ORCID
Venue
The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2014-03-25
Volume
15
Issue
6
Pages
427-442
ISSN
  • 1562-2975 (ISSN-L)
  • 1814-1412
DOI
10.3109/15622975.2014.892632
OpenAlex
W2093057972
Cited by
146
References
66
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 5
FWCI
1.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
  • H2020 European Research Council
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, psychophysiological arousal, fear conditioning, electrodermal activity, habituation, cognitive behavioral therapy, virtual reality exposure, threat simulation
MeSH terms
Anxiety Disorders, Humans, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

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