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Virtual Reality (VR) Technology for Treatment of Mental Health Problems during COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Muhammad Hizri Hatta

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

  • Hatta Sidi

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

  • Chong Siew Koon

    (Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ), Kuala Terengganu 20400, Malaysia)

  • Nur Aishah Che Roos

    (Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia)

  • Shalisah Sharip

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

  • Farah Deena Abdul Samad

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

  • Ong Wan Xi

    (Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ), Kuala Terengganu 20400, 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, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

Abstract

There was a surge in psychological distress and emotional burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual reality (VR) is helpful as a psychological intervention whilst maintaining physical or social distancing. The present systematic review assessed the role of VR as a psychological intervention tool for mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a systematic review that followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. This study used the search-related terms: (Virtual reality OR simulated-3D-environment OR VR) AND (covid! or corona!) AND (mental* OR psychologic* OR well* OR health*) AND (intervention) on six databases, i.e., MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Ovid Medline, EMBASE, ACM digital library, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from the inception date until 23 June 2021. We finally included four studies in the systematic review out of the 379 references imported for screening. These studies reveal that VR is beneficial as a psychological tool for intervention in individuals with mental health problems. Immersed in the telepresence, interacting in a 3-D format compared to a 2-D layout, having a sense of enjoyment and engagement, activating an affective-motivational state, “escaping” to a virtual from the real world are pivotal faucets of VR as a psychological tool for intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5389-:d:804809
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    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. Giuseppe Forte & Francesca Favieri & Renata Tambelli & Maria Casagrande, 2020. "COVID-19 Pandemic in the Italian Population: Validation of a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire and Prevalence of PTSD Symptomatology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-14, June.
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    5. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    6. 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.
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