Current issue
About the Journal
Scientific Council
Editorial Board
Regulatory and archival policy
Code of publishing ethics
Publisher
Information about the processing of personal data in relation to cookies and newsletter subscription
Archive
For Authors
For Reviewers
Contact
Reviewers
Annals reviewers in 2023
Annals reviewers in 2022
Annals reviewers in 2021
Annals reviewers in 2020
Annals reviewers in 2019
Annals reviewers in 2018
Annals reviewers in 2017
Annals reviewers in 2016
Annals reviewers in 2015
Annals reviewers in 2014
Annals reviewers in 2013
Annals reviewers in 2012
Links
Sklep Wydawnictwa SUM
Biblioteka Główna SUM
Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
Privacy policy
Accessibility statement
Reviewers
Annals reviewers in 2023
Annals reviewers in 2022
Annals reviewers in 2021
Annals reviewers in 2020
Annals reviewers in 2019
Annals reviewers in 2018
Annals reviewers in 2017
Annals reviewers in 2016
Annals reviewers in 2015
Annals reviewers in 2014
Annals reviewers in 2013
Annals reviewers in 2012
The role of virtual reality-based relaxation therapy in the treatment of mental disorders – a narrative review
1
Students’ Scientific Club, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze,
Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
2
Department of Psychoprophylaxis, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Corresponding author
Ann. Acad. Med. Siles. 2025;79:193-200
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
In recent years, there has been rapid development in technologies utilizing virtual reality (VR), leading to their increasingly frequent application in medicine, including psychiatry. Relaxation therapy using VR techniques may offer an innovative solution to support the treatment of mental disorders. This narrative review discusses the potential applications of VR in relaxation therapy, focusing on its effectiveness in treating depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. VR technology has been shown to offer significant advantages over traditional relaxation methods. Numerous studies confirm its effectiveness in reducing psychiatric symptoms, while also highlighting the need to consider potential side effects, such as nausea or “cybersickness”. VR therapy combines the benefits of technology and psychotherapy, making it a promising method for supporting the treatment of mental disorders.
REFERENCES (67)
1.
Kondycja psychiczna mieszkańców Polski: raport z badań „Epidemiologia zaburzeń psychiatrycznych i dostęp do psychiatrycznej opieki zdrowotnej – EZOP Polska”. J. Moskalewicz, A. Kiejna, B. Wojtyniak [ed.]. Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii. Warszawa 2012.
2.
Wciórka J., Leciak J., Rawska-Kabacińska A., Suchecka E., Świtaj P., Stefanowski B., Stokwiszewski J. EZOP II: wybrane zaburzenia psychiczne i ich uwarunkowania. Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii. Warszawa, 15–16 listopada 2021.
3.
Lubecka B., Lubecki M., Kasperczyk J., Moszczak M., Jośko-Ochojska J., Pudlo R. Dysproporcja pomiędzy częstością występowania zaburzeń lękowych i depresyjnych w populacji mieszkańców powiatu żywieckiego a korzystaniem z psychiatrycznej opieki zdrowotnej. Psychiatr. 2020; 17(1): 1–8, doi: 10.5603/PSYCH.2020.0001.
4.
Lubecka B. Dysproporcja pomiędzy częstością występowania zaburzeń lękowych i depresyjnych a korzystaniem z psychiatrycznej opieki zdrowot-nej. [Rozprawa doktorska]. Wydział Nauk Medycznych w Zabrzu. Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach. Zabrze 2022 [online] https://ppm.sum.edu.pl/info/ph....
5.
Maier A., Riedel-Heller S.G., Pabst A., Luppa M. Risk factors and protective factors of depression in older people 65+: A systematic review. PLoS One 2021; 16(5): e0251326, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251326.
6.
Jha M.K. First-line and combination therapeutics for major depressive disorder. In: M.H. Trivedi, S.M. Strakowski [ed.]. Depression. Oxford University Press; 2020, p. 183–196, doi: 10.1093/med/9780190929565.003.0011.
7.
Murawiec S., Olejnik N., Kudlik A. Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: which substances are declared as first choice treatment options by Polish psychiatrists? Psychiatria Spersonalizowana / Personalized Psychiatry 2023; 2(1): 7–15, doi: 10.5114/psychs.2023.125705.
8.
Samochowiec J., Dudek D., Kucharska-Mazur J., Murawiec S., Rymaszewska J., Cubała W.J. et al. Pharmacological treatment of a depressive episode and recurrent depressive disorder - guidelines of the Polish Psychiatric Association and the National Consultant for Adult Psychiatry. Psychiatr. Pol. 2021; 55(2): 235–259, doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/132496.
9.
Farah W.H., Alsawas M., Mainou M., Alahdab F., Farah M.H., Ahmed A.T. et al. Non-pharmacological treatment of depression: a systematic review and evidence map. Evid. Based Med. 2016; 21(6): 214–221, doi: 10.1136/ebmed-2016-110522.
10.
Gysin F., Gysin F., Gross F. Winter depression and phototherapy. The state of the art. [Article in Portuguese]. Acta Med. Port. 1997; 10(12): 887–893.
11.
Miazgowski J., Tuszkiewicz M., Miazgowski T. Skuteczność terapii poznawczo-behawioralnej w zakresie uzyskiwania remisji i redukcji częstości nawrotów w zaburzeniach lękowych. Psychiatr. Psychol. Klin. 2021; 21(4): 268–273, doi: 10.15557/PiPK.2021.0030.
12.
Palm U., Hasan A., Strube W., Padberg F. tDCS for the treatment of depression: a comprehensive review. Eur. Arch. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 2016; 266(8): 681–694, doi: 10.1007/s00406-016-0674-9.
13.
Wieczorek T., Kobyłko A., Stramecki F., Fila-Witecka K., Beszłej J., Jakubczyk M. et al. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in treatment of psychiatric disorders – review of current studies. Psychiatr. Pol. 2021; 55(3): 565–583, doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/115556.
14.
Antosik-Wójcińska A., Święcicki Ł. The efficacy and safety of ECT in population before and after 60 years of age. Psychiatr. Pol. 2016; 50(5): 1015–1026, doi: 10.12740/PP/59104.
15.
Kaczmarczyk M., Antosik-Wójcińska A., Dominiak M., Święcicki Ł. Use of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in the treatment of drug-resistant depression – a pilot study, presentation of five clinical cases. Psychiatr. Pol. 2021; 55(3): 555–564, doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/115191.
16.
Antosik-Wójcińska A.Z., Święcicki Ł. The use of DBS stimulation in mental disorders – opportunities and risks. Psychiatr. Pol. 2015; 49(4): 791–800, doi: 10.12740/PP/25162.
17.
Chrobak A.A., Janeczko W., Siwek M., Dudek D. Deep brain stimulation as a method of treatment in treatment-resistant depression in bipolar disorder: neuroimaging and clinical trials review. Psychiatry 2017; 14(1): 40–46.
18.
Yeung K.S., Hernandez M., Mao J.J., Haviland I., Gubili J. Herbal medicine for depression and anxiety: a systematic review with assessment of potential psycho-oncologic relevance. Phytother. Res. 2018; 32(5): 865–891, doi: 10.1002/ptr.6033.
19.
Schiller J., Niederer D., Kellner T., Eckhardt I., Egen C., Zheng W. et al. Effects of acupuncture and medical training therapy on depression, anxiety, and quality of life in patients with frequent tension-type headache: A randomized controlled study. Cephalalgia 2023; 43(1): 3331024221132800, doi: 10.1177/03331024221132800.
20.
Sokół-Szawłowska M. Phototherapy, progression of applications in psychiatry and other fields of medicine. [Article in Polish]. Psychiatry 2018; 15(1): 50–52.
21.
Shapiro S., Lehrer P.M. Psychophysiological effects of autogenic training and progressive relaxation. Biofeedback Self Regul. 1980; 5(2): 249–255, doi: 10.1007/BF00998600.
22.
Stetter F., Kupper S. Autogenic training: a meta-analysis of clinical outcome studies. Appl. Psychophysiol. Biofeedback 2002; 27(1): 45–98, doi: 10.1023/a:1014576505223.
23.
Pinheiro M., Mendes D., Pais J., Carvalho N., Cabral T. Sleep quality – impact of relaxation techniques and autogenic training in patients diagnosed with insomnia. Eur. Psychiatry 2015; 30(S1): 1–1, doi: 10.1016/S0924-9338(15)31373-0.
24.
Manzoni G.M., Pagnini F., Castelnuovo G., Molinari E. Relaxation training for anxiety: a ten-years systematic review with meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2008; 8: 41, doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-8-41.
25.
Tapeh Z.A., Darvishpour A., Besharati F., Gholami-Chaboki B. Effect of Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and happiness of older adults in the nursing home. Iran. J. Nurs. Midwifery Res. 2024; 29(1): 78–84, doi: 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_183_22.
26.
Kahreh F.S., Abdi A., Khatony A., Salari N., Paveh B.K., Aznab M. et al. The effect of Jacobson relaxation technique on sleep quality of patients with cancer under chemotherapy: a randomized clinical trial. SAGE Open Nurs. 2024; 10: 23779608241286814, doi: 10.1177/23779608241286814.
27.
Kubecka A., Książek J., Styła R. The future of new technologies in psychological diagnosis and psychotherapy. Qualitative analysis based on Delphi method. Psychiatry 2021; 18(4): 275–281, doi: 10.5603/PSYCH.a2021.0004.
28.
Riches S., Jeyarajaguru P., Taylor L., Fialho C., Little J., Ahmed L. et al. Virtual reality relaxation for people with mental health conditions: a systematic review. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 2023; 58(7): 989–1007, doi: 10.1007/s00127-022-02417-5.
29.
Pan Z., Cheok A.D., Yang H., Zhu J., Shi J. Virtual reality and mixed reality for virtual learning environments. Comput. Graph. 2006; 30(1): 20–28, doi: 10.1016/j.cag.2005.10.004.
30.
Hughes T.P. American genesis: a century of invention and technological enthusiasm, 1870–1970. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 2004, p. 13–52 (Chapter 1: A gigantic tidal wave of human ingenuity), p. 53–95 (Chapter 2: Choosing and solving problems), p. 96–131 (Chapter 3: Brain mill for the military).
31.
Srivastava K., Das R.C., Chaudhury S. Virtual reality applications in mental health: challenges and perspectives. Ind. Psychiatry J. 2014; 23(2): 83–85, doi: 10.4103/0972-6748.151666.
32.
Schroeder R. Virtual reality in the real world: history, applications and projections. Futures 1993; 25(9): 963–973, doi: 10.1016/0016-3287(93)90062-X.
34.
Hamad A., Jia B. How virtual reality technology has changed our lives: an overview of the current and potential applications and limitations. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022; 19(18): 11278, doi: 10.3390/ijerph191811278.
35.
Haowen J., Vimalesvaran S., Myint Kyaw B., Tudor Car L. Virtual reality in medical students’ education: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11(5): e046986, doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046986.
36.
Mustafa A.R., Moloudi F., Balasalle E., Lang M., Uppot R.N. Virtual reading room for diagnostic radiology. Curr. Probl. Diagn. Radiol. 2024; 53(2): 230–234, doi: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2023.12.002.
37.
Wiebe A., Kannen K., Selaskowski B., Mehren A., Thöne A.K., Pramme L. et al. Virtual reality in the diagnostic and therapy for mental disorders: a systematic review. Clin. Psychol. Rev. 2022; 98: 102213, doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102213.
38.
Cieślik B., Mazurek J., Rutkowski S., Kiper P., Turolla A., Szczepańska-Gieracha J. Virtual reality in psychiatric disorders: a systematic review of reviews. Complement. Ther. Med. 2020; 52: 102480, doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102480.
39.
Wong M.S., Spiegel B.M.R., Gregory K.D. Virtual reality reduces pain in laboring women: a randomized controlled trial. Am. J. Perinatol. 2021; 38(S 01): e167–e172, doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1708851.
40.
Fan L., Zeng J., Ran L., Zhang C., Wang J., Yu C. et al. Virtual reality in managing dental pain and anxiety: a comprehensive review. Front. Med. 2023; 10: 1285142, doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1285142.
41.
Feng H., Li C., Liu J., Wang L., Ma J., Li G. et al. Virtual reality rehabilitation versus conventional physical therapy for improving balance and gait in Parkinson’s disease patients: a randomized controlled trial. Med. Sci. Monit. 2019; 25: 4186–4192, doi: 10.12659/MSM.916455.
42.
Chen X., Liu F., Lin S., Yu L., Lin R. Effects of virtual reality rehabilitation training on cognitive function and activities of daily living of patients with poststroke cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2022; 103(7): 1422–1435, doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2022.03.012.
43.
Errante A., Saviola D., Cantoni M., Iannuzzelli K., Ziccarelli S., Togni F. et al. Effectiveness of action observation therapy based on virtual reality technology in the motor rehabilitation of paretic stroke patients: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Neurol. 2022; 22(1): 109, doi: 10.1186/s12883-022-02640-2.
44.
Gumaa M., Rehan Youssef A. Is virtual reality effective in orthopedic rehabilitation? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phys. Ther. 2019; 99(10): 1304–1325, doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzz093.
45.
Zappa A., Bolger D., Pergandi J.M., Mallet P., Dubarry A.S., Mestre D. et al. Motor resonance during linguistic processing as shown by EEG in a naturalistic VR environment. Brain Cogn. 2019; 134: 44–57, doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2019.05.003.
46.
Freeman D., Reeve S., Robinson A., Ehlers A., Clark D., Spanlang B. et al. Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychol. Med. 2017; 47(14): 2393–2400, doi: 10.1017/S003329171700040X.
47.
Grassini S. Virtual reality assisted non-pharmacological treatments in chronic pain management: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022; 19(7): 4071, doi: 10.3390/ijerph19074071.
48.
Cruz-Neira C., Sandin D.J., DeFanti T.A. Surround-screen projection-based virtual reality: The design and implementation of the CAVE. In: Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques. Association for Computing Machinery; 1993, p. 135–142, doi: 10.1145/166117.166134.
49.
Juan M.C., Pérez D. Comparison of the levels of presence and anxiety in an acrophobic environment viewed via HMD or CAVE. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments 2009; 18(3): 232–248, doi: 10.1162/pres.18.3.232.
50.
Kruk D., Mętel D., Cechnicki A. A paradigm description of virtual reality and its possible applications in psychiatry. Adv. Psychiatry Neurol. 2019; 28(2): 116–134, doi: 10.5114/ppn.2019.86255.
51.
Diemer J., Alpers G.W., Peperkorn H.M., Shiban Y., Mühlberger A. The impact of perception and presence on emotional reactions: a review of research in virtual reality. Front. Psychol. 2015; 6: 26, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00026.
52.
Lee K.M. Presence, explicated. Commun. Theory 2004; 14(1): 27–50, doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2885.2004.tb00302.x.
53.
Sanchez-Vives M.V., Slater M. From presence to consciousness through virtual reality. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 2005; 6(4): 332–339, doi: 10.1038/nrn1651.
54.
Slater M. Place illusion and plausibility can lead to realistic behaviour in immersive virtual environments. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B Biol. Sci. 2009; 364(1535): 3549–3557, doi: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0138.
55.
Ioannou A., Papastavrou E., Avraamides M.N., Charalambous A. Virtual reality and symptoms management of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain: a systematic review. SAGE Open Nurs. 2020; 6: 2377960820936163, doi: 10.1177/2377960820936163.
56.
Veling W., Lestestuiver B., Jongma M., Hoenders H.J.R., van Driel C. Virtual reality relaxation for patients with a psychiatric disorder: crossover randomized controlled trial. J. Med. Internet Res. 2021; 23(1): e17233, doi: 10.2196/17233.
57.
Cho Y., Kim H., Seong S., Park K., Choi J., Kim M.J. et al. Effect of virtual reality-based biofeedback for depressive and anxiety symptoms: randomized controlled study. J. Affect. Disord. 2024; 361: 392–398, doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.031.
58.
Freeman D., Lister R., Waite F., Galal U., Yu L.M., Lambe S. et al. Automated virtual reality cognitive therapy versus virtual reality mental relaxation therapy for the treatment of persistent persecutory delusions in patients with psychosis (THRIVE): a parallel-group, single-blind, randomised controlled trial in England with mediation analyses. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; 10(11): 836–847, doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00257-2.
59.
Rault O., Lamothe H., Pelissolo A. Therapeutic use of virtual reality relaxation in schizophrenia: a pilot study. Psychiatry Res. 2022; 309: 114389, doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114389.
60.
Ilioudi M., Wallström S., Steingrimsson S., Lindner P., Thunström A.O., Ali L. Patient experience of a virtual reality calm room in a psychiatric inpatient care setting in Sweden: a qualitative study with inpatients. BMJ Open 2023; 13(12): e076285, doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076285.
61.
da Costa R.M., de Carvalho L.A. The acceptance of virtual reality devices for cognitive rehabilitation: a report of positive results with schizophrenia. Comput. Methods Programs Biomed. 2004; 73(3): 173–182, doi: 10.1016/S0169-2607(03)00066-X.
62.
Bargeri S., Scalea S., Agosta F., Banfi G., Corbetta D., Filippi M. et al. Effectiveness and safety of virtual reality rehabilitation after stroke: an overview of systematic reviews. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 64: 102220, doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102220.
63.
Naro A., Calabrò R.S. What do we know about the use of virtual reality in the rehabilitation field? A brief overview. Electronics 2021; 10(9): 1042, doi: 10.3390/electronics10091042.
64.
Davis S., Nesbitt K., Nalivaiko E. A systematic review of cybersickness. In: Proceedings of the 2014 Conference on Interactive Entertainment. Association for Computing Machinery. New York; 2014, p. 1–9, doi: 10.1145/2677758.2677780.
65.
ClassVR User Guide CVR255-64 [Polish version]. ClassVR [online] https://www.classvr.com/wp-con... [accessed on 30 November 2024].
66.
FAQ – Przed terapią. VR TierOne [online] https://vrtierone.com/pl/faq/p... [accessed on 30 November 2024].
67.
Instrukcja obsługi: SM-R324 [pdf]. Samsung, 05/2017 [online] https://www.mediaexpert.pl/pro... [accessed on 30 November 2024].
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 1734-025X |
The Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, as the Operator of the annales.sum.edu.pl website, processes personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about Users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms, saving cookies in end devices, as well as by collecting web server logs, which are in the possession of the website Operator. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services in accordance with the Privacy policy.
You can consent to the processing of data for these purposes, refuse consent or access more detailed information.
You can consent to the processing of data for these purposes, refuse consent or access more detailed information.
