Abstract
Objective: Although current evidence supports the use of virtual reality (VR) in the treatment of mental disorders, it is unknown whether VR exercise would be beneficial to mental health. This review synthesized literature concerning the effect of VR exercise on anxiety and depression among various populations. Methods: Ten electronic databases were searched for studies on this topic from January 2000 through October 2017. Studies were eligible if the article: (1) was peer-reviewed; (2) was published in English; and (3) used quantitative measures in assessing anxiety- and depression-related outcomes. Results: A total of five empirical studies met the eligibility criteria. These studies included two randomized clinical trials, one control trial, and two cross-sectional studies. Four studies reported significant improvements in anxiety- and depression-related measures following VR exercise, including reduced tiredness and tension, in addition to increased energy and enjoyment. Nonetheless, one study failed to support the effectiveness of VR exercise over traditional exercise alone on depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Findings favor VR exercise in alleviating anxiety and depression symptomology. However, existing evidence is insufficient to support the advantages of VR exercise as a standalone treatment over traditional therapy in the alleviation of anxiety and depression given the paucity of studies, small sample sizes, and lack of high-quality research designs. Future studies may build upon these limitations to discern the optimal manner by which to employ VR exercise in clinical settings.
Highlights
Anxiety is a psychological disorder characterized by worried thoughts, feelings of tension, and physical changes such as increased blood pressure [1]
Wii) excluded; (3) involved human participants; (4) used quantitative measures in assessing anxietyand depression-related outcomes; and (5) employed an established study design that allowed for examination of the effect of virtual reality (VR) exercise on anxiety- and depression-related outcomes (e.g., randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort, and observational studies), meaning case studies were excluded
The findings indicated that the VR exercise group achieved greater decreases depression compared to the group-based exercise group, and larger improvements in quality of life, social functioning, and physical fitness
Summary
Anxiety is a psychological disorder characterized by worried thoughts, feelings of tension, and physical changes such as increased blood pressure [1]. Individuals with anxiety disorders tend to have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns, as well as specific physical symptoms such as trembling, sweating, a rapid heartbeat, or dizziness [1]. Only 36.9% of those suffering from any anxiety disorder receive treatment [2]. In 2015, 16.1 million U.S adults had experienced at least one major depressive episode within the past year (6.7% of all U.S adults) [2]. While anxiety and depression disorders are different, individuals who develop depression may have experienced an
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