IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i4p2390-d753161.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Role of Virtual Reality as a Psychological Intervention for Mental Health Disturbances during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Author

Listed:
  • Muhammad Hizri Hatta

    (Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Hatta Sidi

    (Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Shalisah Sharip

    (Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Srijit Das

    (Department of Human & Clinical Anatomy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman)

  • Suriati Mohamed Saini

    (Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the world and created many problems. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in mortality and morbidity, including mental health problems. Around the world, the movement control order (MCO) was strictly enforced, but the spread of the infection epidemic was still rampant. The magnitude of the increase in mental health illnesses has caused many individuals to suffer. Given that face-to-face interventions are challenging to carry out during an outbreak, we need to address this critical problem through an online approach, such as virtual reality (VR). This approach is vital to helping patients deal with their existing problems in more pragmatic, practical, and customer-friendly ways. Thus, in the present review, we proposed the development of a virtual digital device for this noble purpose. Various challenges, improvements, and expectations for VR applications were outlined and discussed in this narrative review.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Hizri Hatta & Hatta Sidi & Shalisah Sharip & Srijit Das & Suriati Mohamed Saini, 2022. "The Role of Virtual Reality as a Psychological Intervention for Mental Health Disturbances during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2390-:d:753161
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/4/2390/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/4/2390/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Emad Alyan & Theo Combe & Dayang Rohaya Awang Rambli & Suziah Sulaiman & Frederic Merienne & Nadia Diyana Mohd Muhaiyuddin, 2021. "The Influence of Virtual Forest Walk on Physiological and Psychological Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Yang, Ting & Lai, Ivan Ka Wai & Fan, Zhao Bin & Mo, Qing Min, 2021. "The impact of a 360° virtual tour on the reduction of psychological stress caused by COVID-19," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    3. Kim, Myung Ja & Hall, C. Michael, 2019. "A hedonic motivation model in virtual reality tourism: Comparing visitors and non-visitors," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 236-249.
    4. Sheela Sundarasen & Karuthan Chinna & Kamilah Kamaludin & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Gul Mohammad Baloch & Heba Bakr Khoshaim & Syed Far Abid Hossain & Areej Sukayt, 2020. "Psychological Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown among University Students in Malaysia: Implications and Policy Recommendations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Muhammad Hizri Hatta & Hatta Sidi & Chong Siew Koon & Nur Aishah Che Roos & Shalisah Sharip & Farah Deena Abdul Samad & Ong Wan Xi & Srijit Das & Suriati Mohamed Saini, 2022. "Virtual Reality (VR) Technology for Treatment of Mental Health Problems during COVID-19: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Schiopu, Andreea Fortuna & Hornoiu, Remus Ion & Padurean, Ana Mihaela & Nica, Ana-Maria, 2022. "Constrained and virtually traveling? Exploring the effect of travel constraints on intention to use virtual reality in tourism," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    2. Muhammad Hizri Hatta & Hatta Sidi & Chong Siew Koon & Nur Aishah Che Roos & Shalisah Sharip & Farah Deena Abdul Samad & Ong Wan Xi & Srijit Das & Suriati Mohamed Saini, 2022. "Virtual Reality (VR) Technology for Treatment of Mental Health Problems during COVID-19: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Ákos Móra & Zsolt Komka & József Végh & István Farkas & Gyöngyi Szilágyi Kocsisné & Edit Bosnyák & Márta Szmodis & Roland Ligetvári & Éva Csöndör & Gábor Almási & András Oláh & Han C. G. Kemper & Mikl, 2022. "Comparison of the Cardiovascular Effects of Extreme Psychological and Physical Stress Tests in Male Soccer Players," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-12, January.
    4. Mkedder, Nadjim & Jain, Varsha & Salunke, Parth, 2024. "Determinants of virtual reality stores influencing purchase intention: An interpretive structural modeling approach," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    5. Luai Al-Labadi & Jinyoung Hur & Kyuson Lim & Nitya Srivastava, 2023. "Assessing Financial Well-being of Undergraduate University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic," Higher Education Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(1), pages 1-24, February.
    6. Caro Wolfner & Corilyn Ott & Kalani Upshaw & Angela Stowe & Lisa Schwiebert & Robin Gaines Lanzi, 2023. "Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviors of College Students and Postdoctoral Fellows with Disabilities or Pre-Existing Conditions during COVID-19," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-25, February.
    7. Xiaohong Wu & Ivan Ka Wai Lai, 2022. "The use of 360-degree virtual tours to promote mountain walking tourism: stimulus–organism–response model," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 85-107, March.
    8. Bo Wendy Gao & Chris Zhu & Hongmei Song & Ianthe M. Belisle Dempsey, 2022. "Interpreting the perceptions of authenticity in virtual reality tourism through postmodernist approach," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 31-55, March.
    9. Bentham Liang Sen Teh & Jin Kiat Ang & Eugene Boon Yau Koh & Nicholas Tze Ping Pang, 2023. "Psychological Resilience and Coping Strategies with Anxiety among Malaysian Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    10. Juan Antonio Jimber del Río & Ricardo David Hernández-Rojas & Virginia Navajas-Romero & Amalia Hidalgo-Fernández, 2020. "The Loyalty of Tourism in Synagogues: The Special Case of the Synagogue of Córdoba," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-18, June.
    11. Jesús Muyor-Rodríguez & Francisco Caravaca-Sánchez & Juan Sebastián Fernández-Prados, 2021. "COVID-19 Fear, Resilience, Social Support, Anxiety, and Suicide among College Students in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, August.
    12. Kostyk, Alena & Sheng, Jie, 2023. "VR in customer-centered marketing: Purpose-driven design," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 66(2), pages 225-236.
    13. Hui Jin & Xinyi Qian, 2020. "How the Chinese Government Has Done with Public Health from the Perspective of the Evaluation and Comparison about Public-Health Expenditure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-16, December.
    14. Dina Di Giacomo & Alessandra Martelli & Federica Guerra & Federica Cielo & Jessica Ranieri, 2021. "Mediator Effect of Affinity for E-Learning on Mental Health: Buffering Strategy for the Resilience of University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-12, July.
    15. Aubrey M. Stewart & Nicholas A. Wright, 2024. "Remote Viewership of International Sporting Events and Crime: Evidence From Jamaica," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 25(5), pages 610-633, June.
    16. Hollebeek, Linda D. & Abbasi, Amir Zaib & Schultz, Carsten D. & Ting, Ding Hooi & Sigurdsson, Valdimar, 2022. "Hedonic consumption experience in videogaming: A multidimensional perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    17. Eugenie Sin Sing Tan & Shaun Ashley Fung Xian Chin & Manimeyapan S. Palaniappan Sathapan & Astrid Disimond Dewi & Farahnaz Amini & Normina Ahmad Bustami & Pui Yee Tan & Yu Bin Ho & Chung Keat Tan, 2023. "Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Evidence from Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, February.
    18. Nicholas Tze Ping Pang & Gracyvinea Nold Imon & Elisa Johoniki & Mohd Amiruddin Mohd Kassim & Azizan Omar & Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim & Firdaus Hayati & Mohammad Saffree Jeffree & Jun Rong Ng, 2021. "Fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 Stress and Association with Sociodemographic and Psychological Process Factors in Cases under Surveillance in a Frontline Worker Population in Borneo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-18, July.
    19. Izyan A. Wahab & Khang Wen Goh & Zainol Akbar Zainal & Najlaa Siham Mohamed Yusof & Hasniza Zaman Huri & Sabrina Anne Jacob & Muhammad Najib Mohamad Alwi & Rosnani Hashim & Shairyzah Ahmad Hisham & Nu, 2022. "Targeted Primary and Secondary Preventive Strategies for Depression among Malaysian Pharmacy Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, August.
    20. Ying Yang & Yanan Xiao & Yulu Liu & Qiong Li & Changshuo Shan & Shulin Chang & Philip H.-S. Jen, 2021. "Mental Health and Psychological Impact on Students with or without Hearing Loss during the Recurrence of the COVID-19 Pandemic in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-28, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2390-:d:753161. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.