Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysis
Contrary to specific phobias, for which Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) constitutes an effective treatment, uncertainty still exists regarding the usefulness of VRET for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, this meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of VRET for PTSD as compared...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2019-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1654782 |
| _version_ | 1797954554442022912 |
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| author | Oswald D. Kothgassner Andreas Goreis Johanna X. Kafka Rahel L. Van Eickels Paul L. Plener Anna Felnhofer |
| author_facet | Oswald D. Kothgassner Andreas Goreis Johanna X. Kafka Rahel L. Van Eickels Paul L. Plener Anna Felnhofer |
| author_sort | Oswald D. Kothgassner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Contrary to specific phobias, for which Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) constitutes an effective treatment, uncertainty still exists regarding the usefulness of VRET for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, this meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of VRET for PTSD as compared to waitlist and active comparators. A literature search yielded nine controlled studies encompassing 296 participants (124 VRET, 172 controls). The differences between conditions regarding the primary outcome of PTSD symptom severity and the secondary outcome of depressive and anxiety symptoms post-treatment were calculated using Hedges’ g. Compared to waitlist controls, VRET showed a significantly better outcome for PTSD symptoms (g = 0.62, p = .017) and depressive symptoms (g = 0.50, p = .008). There was no significant difference between VRET and active comparators regarding PTSD symptoms (g = 0.25, p = .356) and depressive symptoms (g = 0.24, p = .340) post-treatment. No significant effects emerged for anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that VRET may be as effective as active comparators for PTSD patients. However, the results must be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of trials and the substantial number of – predominantly male – military service members studied. Additional controlled trials, considering a wider range of trauma types and balanced gender, are required to strengthen the evidence. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:19:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eea170da35c94a80b24a45c47c7fc215 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2000-8066 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:19:17Z |
| publishDate | 2019-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
| spelling | doaj.art-eea170da35c94a80b24a45c47c7fc2152023-01-12T15:31:31ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology2000-80662019-12-0110110.1080/20008198.2019.16547821654782Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysisOswald D. Kothgassner0Andreas Goreis1Johanna X. Kafka2Rahel L. Van Eickels3Paul L. Plener4Anna Felnhofer5Medical University of ViennaUniversity of ViennaMedical University of ViennaUniversity of ViennaMedical University of ViennaMedical University of ViennaContrary to specific phobias, for which Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) constitutes an effective treatment, uncertainty still exists regarding the usefulness of VRET for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, this meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of VRET for PTSD as compared to waitlist and active comparators. A literature search yielded nine controlled studies encompassing 296 participants (124 VRET, 172 controls). The differences between conditions regarding the primary outcome of PTSD symptom severity and the secondary outcome of depressive and anxiety symptoms post-treatment were calculated using Hedges’ g. Compared to waitlist controls, VRET showed a significantly better outcome for PTSD symptoms (g = 0.62, p = .017) and depressive symptoms (g = 0.50, p = .008). There was no significant difference between VRET and active comparators regarding PTSD symptoms (g = 0.25, p = .356) and depressive symptoms (g = 0.24, p = .340) post-treatment. No significant effects emerged for anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that VRET may be as effective as active comparators for PTSD patients. However, the results must be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of trials and the substantial number of – predominantly male – military service members studied. Additional controlled trials, considering a wider range of trauma types and balanced gender, are required to strengthen the evidence.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1654782posttraumatic stress disordervirtual realityexposure therapymeta-analysisdepressionanxiety |
| spellingShingle | Oswald D. Kothgassner Andreas Goreis Johanna X. Kafka Rahel L. Van Eickels Paul L. Plener Anna Felnhofer Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysis European Journal of Psychotraumatology posttraumatic stress disorder virtual reality exposure therapy meta-analysis depression anxiety |
| title | Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysis |
| title_full | Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysis |
| title_short | Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysis |
| title_sort | virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder ptsd a meta analysis |
| topic | posttraumatic stress disorder virtual reality exposure therapy meta-analysis depression anxiety |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1654782 |
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