Exploring the potential of virtual reality (VR) in mental healthcare: a systematic literature review
Shiva Pedram, Timothy Piatkowski
Abstract
Abstract Virtual reality (VR) technologies offer transformative possibilities for mental healthcare, particularly following rapid technological advances and increased demand for remote therapeutic interventions during and now post COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic literature review evaluates the application of VR head-mounted displays (HMDs) in mental healthcare, examining studies published between 2010 and 2024 across a wide range of conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders, behavioural issues, and neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Dementia. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across five electronic databases—PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect—using a predefined set of keywords targeting VR, mental health, and HMDs. A total of 65 peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria after screening 397 records and reviewing 199 full texts. The findings highlight VR’s clinical potential in improving accessibility to care, supporting personalized and immersive interventions, and enhancing patient engagement and outcomes across various mental health contexts. VR is also shown to contribute to cognitive training, pain distraction, and social skill development. Despite its promise, the review identifies gaps in standardized protocols, long-term outcome measures, and challenges such as variability in patient response and technology acceptance. These findings underscore the growing relevance of VR in mental healthcare and the need for continued research to guide its broader implementation in clinical practice.