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Simultaneous Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation during Virtual Reality Exposure
Published on: January 18, 2021
Virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis
Mark B Powers1, Paul M G Emmelkamp
1Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. mpowers@fmg.uva.nl
Journal of Anxiety Disorders
|June 5, 2007
Summary
Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders, showing large effects compared to control groups. VRET was also found to be as effective, and potentially more so, than traditional in vivo exposure therapy.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is an emerging treatment for anxiety disorders.
- Existing literature suggests VRET's potential efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide effect size estimates for VRET compared to control conditions (waitlist, attention control) and in vivo exposure.
- To synthesize findings from existing studies on VRET for anxiety disorders.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was conducted on 13 studies including 397 participants.
- Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated for VRET versus control and VRET versus in vivo exposure.
Main Results:
- VRET demonstrated a large mean effect size (Cohen's d=1.11) compared to control conditions.
- VRET was not significantly less effective than in vivo exposure, with a small effect size favoring VRET (Cohen's d=0.35).
- A trend suggested a dose-response relationship, with more VRET sessions yielding larger effects.
Conclusions:
- VRET is a robust and effective treatment for anxiety disorders.
- VRET offers a comparable, and potentially superior, alternative to traditional in vivo exposure therapy.
- Further research into optimal VRET dosage may enhance treatment outcomes.
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