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Omisore OM, Odenigbo I, Orji J, Beltran AIH, Meier S, Baghaei N, Orji R. Extended Reality for Mental Health Evaluation: Scoping Review. JMIR Serious Games 2024; 12:e38413. [PMID: 39047289 PMCID: PMC11306946 DOI: 10.2196/38413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health disorders are the leading cause of health-related problems worldwide. It is projected that mental health disorders will be the leading cause of morbidity among adults as the incidence rates of anxiety and depression grow worldwide. Recently, "extended reality" (XR), a general term covering virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), is paving the way for the delivery of mental health care. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the adoption and implementation of XR technology used in interventions for mental disorders and to provide statistical analyses of the design, usage, and effectiveness of XR technology for mental health interventions with a worldwide demographic focus. METHODS In this paper, we conducted a scoping review of the development and application of XR in the area of mental disorders. We performed a database search to identify relevant studies indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed, and the ACM Digital Library. A search period between August 2016 and December 2023 was defined to select papers related to the usage of VR, AR, and MR in a mental health context. The database search was performed with predefined queries, and a total of 831 papers were identified. Ten papers were identified through professional recommendation. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were designed and applied to ensure that only relevant studies were included in the literature review. RESULTS We identified a total of 85 studies from 27 countries worldwide that used different types of VR, AR, and MR techniques for managing 14 types of mental disorders. By performing data analysis, we found that most of the studies focused on high-income countries, such as the United States (n=14, 16.47%) and Germany (n=12, 14.12%). None of the studies were for African countries. The majority of papers reported that XR techniques lead to a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety or depression. The majority of studies were published in 2021 (n=26, 30.59%). This could indicate that mental disorder intervention received higher attention when COVID-19 emerged. Most studies (n=65, 76.47%) focused on a population in the age range of 18-65 years, while few studies (n=2, 3.35%) focused on teenagers (ie, subjects in the age range of 10-19 years). In addition, more studies were conducted experimentally (n=67, 78.82%) rather than by using analytical and modeling approaches (n=8, 9.41%). This shows that there is a rapid development of XR technology for mental health care. Furthermore, these studies showed that XR technology can effectively be used for evaluating mental disorders in a similar or better way that conventional approaches. CONCLUSIONS In this scoping review, we studied the adoption and implementation of XR technology for mental disorder care. Our review shows that XR treatment yields high patient satisfaction, and follow-up assessments show significant improvement with large effect sizes. Moreover, the studies adopted unique designs that were set up to record and analyze the symptoms reported by their participants. This review may aid future research and development of various XR mechanisms for differentiated mental disorder procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatunji Mumini Omisore
- Research Centre for Medical Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgical Devices, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ifeanyi Odenigbo
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Joseph Orji
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Sandra Meier
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Nilufar Baghaei
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Rita Orji
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Donohue HE, Modini M, Abbott MJ. Psychological interventions for pre-event and post-event rumination in social anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Anxiety Disord 2024; 102:102823. [PMID: 38142483 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Pre-event and post-event rumination have been consistently identified by cognitive models as important maintaining factors in Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of psychological treatment in reducing pre-event and post-event rumination in adults with social anxiety. A comprehensive literature search identified 26 eligible studies, with 1524 total participants. Psychological treatments demonstrated large significant within-group effect sizes (from pre- to post-treatment) in reducing pre-event rumination (g = 0.86) and post-event rumination (g = 0.83). Subgroups analysed showed CBT to have large significant effect sizes in reducing pre-event rumination (g = 0.97) and post-event rumination (g = 0.85). Interventions that specifically addressed rumination were found to be significantly more effective in reducing pre-event rumination than those that did not (p = .006). Both individual and group treatment formats were equally effective in reducing pre-event rumination and post-event rumination. Meta-regressions revealed that pre-event rumination treatment effects were significantly larger in individuals with higher baseline social anxiety, meanwhile post-event rumination treatment effects were larger for those with higher baseline depression. Overall findings show that pre-event and post-event rumination are effectively reduced through psychological treatment, and clinical implications for the enhancement of evidence-based treatment protocols are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew Modini
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Australia; Concord Centre for Mental Health, Sydney Local Health District, Australia
| | - Maree J Abbott
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Australia.
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Shahid S, Kelson J, Saliba A. Effectiveness and User Experience of Virtual Reality for Social Anxiety Disorder: Systematic Review. JMIR Ment Health 2024; 11:e48916. [PMID: 38329804 PMCID: PMC10884902 DOI: 10.2196/48916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that affects occupational and social functioning. Virtual reality (VR) therapies can provide effective treatment for people with SAD. However, with rapid innovations in immersive VR technology, more contemporary research is required to examine the effectiveness and concomitant user experience outcomes (ie, safety, usability, acceptability, and attrition) of emerging VR interventions for SAD. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness and user experience of contemporary VR interventions among people with SAD. METHODS The Cochrane Library, Emcare, PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched between January 1, 2012, and April 26, 2022. Deduplicated search results were screened based on title and abstract information. Full-text examination was conducted on 71 articles. Studies of all designs and comparator groups were included if they appraised the effectiveness and user experience outcomes of any immersive VR intervention among people with SAD. A standardized coding sheet was used to extract data on key participant, intervention, comparator, outcome, and study design items. RESULTS The findings were tabulated and discussed using a narrative synthesis. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS The findings showed that VR exposure therapy-based interventions can generally provide effective, safe, usable, and acceptable treatments for adults with SAD. The average attrition rate from VR treatment was low (11.36%) despite some reported user experience difficulties, including potential simulator sickness, exposure-based emotional distress, and problems with managing treatment delivered in a synchronous group setting. This review also revealed several research gaps, including a lack of VR treatment studies on children and adolescents with SAD as well as a paucity of standardized assessments of VR user experience interactions. More studies are required to address these issues. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42022353891; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=353891.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Shahid
- Faculty of Business, Justice, and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
| | - Joshua Kelson
- Faculty of Business, Justice, and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
| | - Anthony Saliba
- Faculty of Business, Justice, and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
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Andersen NJ, Schwartzman D, Martinez C, Cormier G, Drapeau M. Virtual reality interventions for the treatment of anxiety disorders: A scoping review. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2023; 81:101851. [PMID: 36947972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & Objectives: Virtual Reality (VR) refers to an artificial, immersive three-dimensional environment with interactive sensory stimuli. VR is typically incorporated into the psychotherapeutic process as a means of providing exposure therapy. The objectives of this scoping review were to synthesize the most up-to-date evidence on the outcomes, acceptability, and side effects of VR interventions for treating anxiety disorders in adults. METHODS This scoping review is grounded in the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley (2005). The databases searched were PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. RESULTS The search process identified 112 unique citations. 52 (46%) of the eligible articles examined participants with specific phobias, 25 (22%) with PTSD, 21 (19%) with social anxiety disorder, 12 (10%) with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, and 3 (3%) with generalized anxiety disorder. VR interventions often led to statistically significant and meaningful reductions in symptoms for people with anxiety disorders. Additionally, they were acceptable to clients and associated with minimal side effects for all types of anxiety disorders, except for Combat-Related PTSD in Vietnam veterans. LIMITATIONS Limitations included the fact that the studies in this review were of varying quality, and that articles in languages other than English and French were excluded. CONCLUSION VR interventions appeared to be a viable alternative to conventional exposure therapy. Future research should include more male participants and have a stronger emphasis on acceptability and side effects. Increased traction for VR interventions for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder is also important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J Andersen
- Department of Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Deborah Schwartzman
- Department of Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Carolina Martinez
- Department of Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Gina Cormier
- Department of Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Martin Drapeau
- Department of Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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Pan JY. Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial in Hong Kong. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e48437. [PMID: 37707944 PMCID: PMC10540030 DOI: 10.2196/48437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide. In Hong Kong, the prevalence of SAD is high, but its treatment rate is low. SAD has immense impact on academic or work performance, social life, career development, and quality of life. One of the most effective treatments for SAD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with internet-based CBT (iCBT) and virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) showing promise in treating SAD. However, internet interventions are underdeveloped in Chinese communities including Hong Kong. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop an iCBT program that includes VRET, called "Ease Anxiety in Social Event Online" (Ease Online), for Hong Kong adults with SAD in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS The 14-week Ease Online program is a guided self-help iCBT program with a blended mode of service delivery. The program comprises 9 web-based modules and 5 individual counseling sessions (including 2 VRET sessions) conducted remotely or face-to-face with a therapist to provide therapist support, as guided iCBT shows superior effects than unguided iCBT. Other program components include therapist feedback on assignments, internal messages, forums, client portfolios, web-based questionnaires, reminders, and web-based bookings. The program can be accessed either through a mobile app or program website through a PC with an internet connection. The participants are openly recruited and screened using a questionnaire and through an intake interview. Eligible participants are randomized by placing them into a web-based iCBT group, app-based iCBT group, or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Participants in the WLC group are assigned to the app-based program upon completion of the service of the 2 experimental groups. Measurements of social anxiety, depression and anxiety symptoms, psychological distress, automatic thoughts, and quality of life are administered at pretest, posttest, and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Multivariate ANOVA with repeated measures will be performed to determine the intervention effectiveness on the continuous variables over time. RESULTS Participant recruitment commenced in January 2021. As of February 2023, a total of 1811 individuals applied for the Ease Online program. In total, 401 intake interviews have been completed, and 329 eligible participants have joined the program, among whom 166 have completed the service. Data collection is still ongoing, which is expected to be completed in March 2024. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first of its kind in combining iCBT and VRET for the treatment of SAD in Hong Kong. At a theoretical level, this study contributes to the development and evaluation of internet-based psychological interventions in Hong Kong. At a practical level, the Ease Online program may serve as an alternative service option for SAD clients in Hong Kong if proven effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04995913; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04995913. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/48437.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yan Pan
- Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong)
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Žilinský T, Halamová J. The Effects of Virtual Reality on Enhancement of Self-Compassion and Self-Protection, and Reduction of Self-Criticism: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2592. [PMID: 36767956 PMCID: PMC9915010 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virtual reality used for the treatment of mental health disorders is showing promising potential in clinical practice. Increasing self-compassion and self-protections and decreasing self-criticism have been identified as trans-diagnostic mechanisms helping to build a resilient self. The goal of this systematic review was to provide an overview of research studies about virtual reality while exploring its effectiveness in increasing self-compassion and self-protection and decreasing self-criticism. METHODS On 6 December 2022, titles, abstracts, and, where available, keywords were searched in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were: empirical study; quantitative methodology; outcomes measured, including self-compassion and/or self-protection, and/or self-criticism; pre/post and/or control group intervention measures of selected outcomes; participants aged 18 and above; application of virtual reality technology as part of the intervention; full study availability; and English language. Exclusion criteria were: ruminations related only to physical pain; self-protection in the context of physical survival; VR used to increase ruminations. RESULTS Selection criteria were met by 19 studies (two randomized controlled trials, 16 longitudinal studies, and one case study) with an overall number of 672 participants. Results suggest that VR interventions targeting self-criticism, self-compassion, and self-protection might be effective for non-clinical (self-compassion) as well as clinical (self-criticism and self-protection) samples. DISCUSSION The present systematic review partially supports the effectiveness of VR interventions on self-criticism, self-protection, and self-compassion. To properly answer the question of its effectiveness, more randomized control trials with larger samples from different populations are needed. The results are also limited by the variability of intervention protocols and the amount of exposure to VR. Other: This work was supported by the Vedecká grantová agentúra VEGA under Grant 1/0075/19. This systematic review has not been pre-registered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Júlia Halamová
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynské luhy 4, 821 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Wiebe A, Kannen K, Selaskowski B, Mehren A, Thöne AK, Pramme L, Blumenthal N, Li M, Asché L, Jonas S, Bey K, Schulze M, Steffens M, Pensel MC, Guth M, Rohlfsen F, Ekhlas M, Lügering H, Fileccia H, Pakos J, Lux S, Philipsen A, Braun N. Virtual reality in the diagnostic and therapy for mental disorders: A systematic review. Clin Psychol Rev 2022; 98:102213. [PMID: 36356351 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) technologies are playing an increasingly important role in the diagnostics and treatment of mental disorders. OBJECTIVE To systematically review the current evidence regarding the use of VR in the diagnostics and treatment of mental disorders. DATA SOURCE Systematic literature searches via PubMed (last literature update: 9th of May 2022) were conducted for the following areas of psychopathology: Specific phobias, panic disorder and agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, dementia disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and addiction disorders. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA To be eligible, studies had to be published in English, to be peer-reviewed, to report original research data, to be VR-related, and to deal with one of the above-mentioned areas of psychopathology. STUDY EVALUATION For each study included, various study characteristics (including interventions and conditions, comparators, major outcomes and study designs) were retrieved and a risk of bias score was calculated based on predefined study quality criteria. RESULTS Across all areas of psychopathology, k = 9315 studies were inspected, of which k = 721 studies met the eligibility criteria. From these studies, 43.97% were considered assessment-related, 55.48% therapy-related, and 0.55% were mixed. The highest research activity was found for VR exposure therapy in anxiety disorders, PTSD and addiction disorders, where the most convincing evidence was found, as well as for cognitive trainings in dementia and social skill trainings in autism spectrum disorder. CONCLUSION While VR exposure therapy will likely find its way successively into regular patient care, there are also many other promising approaches, but most are not yet mature enough for clinical application. REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO register CRD42020188436. FUNDING The review was funded by budgets from the University of Bonn. No third party funding was involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Wiebe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kyra Kannen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin Selaskowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Aylin Mehren
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Thöne
- School of Child and Adolescent Cognitive Behavior Therapy (AKiP), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Pramme
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nike Blumenthal
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mengtong Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Laura Asché
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephan Jonas
- Institute for Digital Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katharina Bey
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcel Schulze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Maria Steffens
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Max Christian Pensel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthias Guth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felicia Rohlfsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mogda Ekhlas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Helena Lügering
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Helena Fileccia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julian Pakos
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Silke Lux
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Philipsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Niclas Braun
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Schrammen E, Roesmann K, Rosenbaum D, Redlich R, Harenbrock J, Dannlowski U, Leehr EJ. Functional neural changes associated with psychotherapy in anxiety disorders - A meta-analysis of longitudinal fMRI studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104895. [PMID: 36179918 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Successful psychotherapy for anxiety disorders is thought to be linked to functional neural changes in prefrontal control areas and fear-related limbic regions. Thus, discovering such therapy-associated neural changes might point to relevant mechanisms of action. Using AES-SDM, we conducted a coordinate-based meta-analysis of 22 whole-brain datasets (n = 419 anxiety patients) from 18 studies identified by our systematic literature search following PRISMA criteria (preregistration available at OSF: https://osf.io/dgc4p). In these studies, fMRI data was collected in response to negative stimuli during cognitive-emotional tasks before and after psychotherapy. Post-psychotherapy, activation decreased in the right insula, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; no region had increased activation. A subgroup analysis for CBT revealed additional decrease in the supplementary motor area. Reduced activation in limbic and frontal regions might indicate therapy-associated normalization regarding the perception of internal and external threat, subsequent allocation of cognitive resources, and changes in effortful cognitive control. Due to the integration of diverse treatments and experimental tasks, these changes presumably reflect global effects of successful psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kati Roesmann
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen
| | - David Rosenbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen
| | | | - Jana Harenbrock
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster
| | - Udo Dannlowski
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster
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Chun JY, Kim HJ, Hur JW, Jung D, Lee HJ, Pack SP, Lee S, Kim G, Cho CY, Lee SM, Lee H, Choi S, Cheong T, Cho CH. Prediction of specific anxiety symptoms and VR sickness based on in-situ autonomic physiological signals during VR treatment in patients with social anxiety disorder: mixed-methods study (Preprint). JMIR Serious Games 2022; 10:e38284. [PMID: 36112407 PMCID: PMC9526108 DOI: 10.2196/38284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the fear of social situations where a person anticipates being evaluated negatively. Changes in autonomic response patterns are related to the expression of anxiety symptoms. Virtual reality (VR) sickness can inhibit VR experiences. Objective This study aimed to predict the severity of specific anxiety symptoms and VR sickness in patients with SAD, using machine learning based on in situ autonomic physiological signals (heart rate and galvanic skin response) during VR treatment sessions. Methods This study included 32 participants with SAD taking part in 6 VR sessions. During each VR session, the heart rate and galvanic skin response of all participants were measured in real time. We assessed specific anxiety symptoms using the Internalized Shame Scale (ISS) and the Post-Event Rumination Scale (PERS), and VR sickness using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) during 4 VR sessions (#1, #2, #4, and #6). Logistic regression, random forest, and naïve Bayes classification classified and predicted the severity groups in the ISS, PERS, and SSQ subdomains based on in situ autonomic physiological signal data. Results The severity of SAD was predicted with 3 machine learning models. According to the F1 score, the highest prediction performance among each domain for severity was determined. The F1 score of the ISS mistake anxiety subdomain was 0.8421 using the logistic regression model, that of the PERS positive subdomain was 0.7619 using the naïve Bayes classifier, and that of total VR sickness was 0.7059 using the random forest model. Conclusions This study could predict specific anxiety symptoms and VR sickness during VR intervention by autonomic physiological signals alone in real time. Machine learning models can predict the severe and nonsevere psychological states of individuals based on in situ physiological signal data during VR interventions for real-time interactive services. These models can support the diagnosis of specific anxiety symptoms and VR sickness with minimal participant bias. Trial Registration Clinical Research Information Service KCT0003854; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/13508
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Young Chun
- School of Industrial and Management Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Won Hur
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dooyoung Jung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Heon-Jeong Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Pil Pack
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkil Lee
- Department of Software, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gerard Kim
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Digital Experience Laboratory, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung-Yean Cho
- Department of Film & Multimedia, Korea National University of Arts, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Moo Lee
- Department of Film & Multimedia, Korea National University of Arts, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeri Lee
- Department of Film & Multimedia, Korea National University of Arts, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungmoon Choi
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Taesu Cheong
- School of Industrial and Management Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Hyun Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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10
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Chard I, van Zalk N. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Treating Social Anxiety: A Scoping Review of Treatment Designs and Adaptation to Stuttering. Front Digit Health 2022; 4:842460. [PMID: 35281220 PMCID: PMC8913509 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.842460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) has been shown to be an effective technique for reducing social anxiety. People who stutter are at greater risk of developing heightened social anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy protocols have shown promise in reducing social anxiety in people who stutter, but no studies have investigated VRET targeting social anxiety associated with stuttering. The aim of the current review is to provide an overview of VRET techniques used to treat social anxiety and insights into how these techniques might be adopted in the case of comorbid stuttering and social anxiety. Twelve studies were reviewed to understand key distinctions in VRET protocols used to treat social anxiety. Distinctions include exercises targeting public speaking vs. general social anxiety, computer-generated virtual environments vs. 360° video, and therapist guided vs. automated VRET. Based on the review findings, we propose how certain features could be applied in the case of stuttering. Virtual therapists, inhibitory learning techniques and integration into speech therapy may be suitable ways to tailor VRET. Regardless of these different techniques, VRET should consider the situations and cognitive-behavioral processes that underlie the experience of social anxiety amongst people who stutter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Chard
- Design Psychology Lab, Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Lee H, Choi J, Jung D, Hur JW, Cho CH. The Effects of Virtual Reality Treatment on Prefrontal Cortex Activity in Patients With Social Anxiety Disorder: Participatory and Interactive Virtual Reality Treatment Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e31844. [PMID: 34801979 PMCID: PMC8726045 DOI: 10.2196/31844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attempts to use virtual reality (VR) as a treatment for various psychiatric disorders have been made recently, and many researchers have identified the effects of VR in psychiatric disorders. Studies have reported that VR therapy is effective in social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, there is no prior study on the neural correlates of VR therapy in patients with SAD. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to find the neural correlates of VR therapy by evaluating the treatment effectiveness of VR in patients with SAD using portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). METHODS Patients with SAD (n=28) were provided with 6 sessions of VR treatment that was developed for exposure to social situations with a recording system of each participant's self-introduction in VR. After each VR treatment session, the first-person view (video 1) and third-person view (video 2) clips of the participant's self-introduction were automatically generated. The functional activities of prefrontal regions were measured by fNIRS while watching videos 1 and 2 with a cognitive task, before and after whole VR treatment sessions, and after the first session of VR treatment. We compared the data of fNIRS between patients with SAD and healthy controls (HCs; n=27). RESULTS We found that reduction in activities of the right frontopolar prefrontal cortex (FPPFC) in HCs was greater than in the SAD group at baseline (t=-2.01, P=.049). Comparing the frontal cortex activation before and after VR treatment sessions in the SAD group showed significant differences in activities of the FPPFC (right: t=-2.93, P<.001; left: t=-2.25, P=.03) and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) (right: t=-2.10, P=.045; left: t=-2.21, P=.04) while watching video 2. CONCLUSIONS Activities of the FPPFC and OFC were associated with symptom reduction after VR treatment for SAD. Our study findings might provide a clue to understanding the mechanisms underlying VR treatment for SAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) KCT0003854; https://tinyurl.com/559jp2kp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojun Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Dooyoung Jung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Won Hur
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Hyun Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong, Republic of Korea
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