Virtual Reality in Prevention and Treatment of Substance-Related Disorders: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

IF 2.7 3区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Clinical psychology & psychotherapy Pub Date : 2025-08-22 DOI:10.1002/cpp.70144

Renata Glavak-Tkalić, Mara Šimunović, Katarina Perić Pavišić, Josip Razum, Desirèe Colombo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Substance abuse (SA) imposes a significant global health burden, demanding innovative and accessible interventions. Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising approach, providing engaging and personalized treatment experiences. However, rigorous evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on VR's efficacy in the treatment and prevention of SA remains limited. This systematic review aimed to characterize VR interventions for substance-related disorders and evaluate their effectiveness.

Methods

To conduct this review, two researchers independently performed a comprehensive literature search across four databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results

Twenty RCTs met the inclusion criteria, focusing on alcohol, nicotine and illicit drug use. These studies utilized diverse VR modalities, most frequently exposure therapy (n = 10) and cognitive-behavioural therapy (n = 5), followed by approach bias modification, skills training, cognitive rehabilitation, counterconditioning and psychoeducation. Interventions varied in level of immersion and interactivity. Although the evidence was mixed, 17 studies demonstrated positive effects on at least one outcome variable. Most studies focused on proximal outcomes (e.g., craving), which frequently showed improvement. Clinically meaningful outcomes (e.g., substance use reduction and abstinence) were less frequently assessed, with seven of 10 studies reporting improvement.

Conclusions

VR shows promise in addressing substance-related disorders, particularly for alcohol and nicotine. However, substantial heterogeneity in VR interventions highlights the need for further research to standardize methodologies, optimize treatment parameters and explore the underlying working mechanisms of VR interventions. Additional research is also needed to assess VR's application to illicit drug use.

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虚拟现实在物质相关疾病预防和治疗中的应用：随机对照试验的系统综述

药物滥用给全球健康造成了沉重负担，需要创新和可获得的干预措施。虚拟现实（VR）提供了一个有前途的方法，提供引人入胜和个性化的治疗体验。然而，来自随机对照试验（RCTs）的严格证据表明VR在治疗和预防SA方面的有效性仍然有限。本系统综述旨在描述VR干预药物相关疾病的特点，并评估其有效性。方法：为了进行本综述，两位研究人员使用系统评价和荟萃分析首选报告项目（PRISMA）指南，独立地在四个数据库中进行了全面的文献检索。结果20项随机对照试验符合纳入标准，重点关注酒精、尼古丁和非法药物使用。这些研究采用了多种VR模式，最常见的是暴露疗法（n = 10）和认知行为疗法（n = 5），其次是方法偏差修正、技能培训、认知康复、对抗条件反射和心理教育。干预措施在沉浸程度和互动性方面有所不同。尽管证据参差不齐，但17项研究表明至少对一个结果变量有积极影响。大多数研究集中在近端结果（例如，渴望），这经常显示出改善。临床有意义的结果（例如，减少药物使用和戒断）的评估频率较低，10项研究中有7项报告了改善。VR在解决物质相关疾病，特别是酒精和尼古丁方面显示出前景。然而，虚拟现实干预的巨大异质性突出了进一步研究的必要性，以规范方法，优化治疗参数和探索虚拟现实干预的潜在工作机制。还需要进一步的研究来评估虚拟现实在非法药物使用中的应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical psychology & psychotherapy PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

6.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

106

期刊介绍： Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy aims to keep clinical psychologists and psychotherapists up to date with new developments in their fields. The Journal will provide an integrative impetus both between theory and practice and between different orientations within clinical psychology and psychotherapy. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy will be a forum in which practitioners can present their wealth of expertise and innovations in order to make these available to a wider audience. Equally, the Journal will contain reports from researchers who want to address a larger clinical audience with clinically relevant issues and clinically valid research.