TY - JOUR

T1 - Immersive virtual reality in the treatment of auditory hallucinations

T2 - A PRISMA scoping review

AU - Smith, Lisa Charlotte

AU - Mateos, Ana Collados

AU - Due, Anne Sofie

AU - Bergström, Joanna

AU - Nordentoft, Merete

AU - Clemmensen, Lars

AU - Glenthøj, Louise Birkedal

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors

PY - 2024/4

Y1 - 2024/4

N2 - Background: A large group of psychiatric patients suffer from auditory hallucinations (AH) despite relevant treatment regimens. In mental health populations, AH tend to be verbal (AVH) and the content critical or abusive. Trials employing immersive virtual reality (VR) to treat mental health disorders are emerging. Objective: The aim of this scoping review is to provide an overview of clinical trials utilizing VR in the treatment of AH and to document knowledge gaps in the literature. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for studies reporting on the use of VR to target AH. Results: 16 papers were included in this PRISMA scoping review (ScR). In most studies VR therapy (VRT) was employed to ameliorate treatment resistant AVH in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Only two studies included patients with a diagnosis of affective disorders. The VRT was carried out with the use of an avatar to represent the patient's most dominant voice. Discussion: The research field employing VR to treat AH is promising but still in its infancy. Results from larger randomized clinical trials are needed to establish substantial evidence of therapy effectiveness. Additionally, the knowledge base would benefit from more profound qualitative data exploring views of patients and therapists.

AB - Background: A large group of psychiatric patients suffer from auditory hallucinations (AH) despite relevant treatment regimens. In mental health populations, AH tend to be verbal (AVH) and the content critical or abusive. Trials employing immersive virtual reality (VR) to treat mental health disorders are emerging. Objective: The aim of this scoping review is to provide an overview of clinical trials utilizing VR in the treatment of AH and to document knowledge gaps in the literature. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for studies reporting on the use of VR to target AH. Results: 16 papers were included in this PRISMA scoping review (ScR). In most studies VR therapy (VRT) was employed to ameliorate treatment resistant AVH in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Only two studies included patients with a diagnosis of affective disorders. The VRT was carried out with the use of an avatar to represent the patient's most dominant voice. Discussion: The research field employing VR to treat AH is promising but still in its infancy. Results from larger randomized clinical trials are needed to establish substantial evidence of therapy effectiveness. Additionally, the knowledge base would benefit from more profound qualitative data exploring views of patients and therapists.

KW - Auditory verbal hallucination

KW - Clinical psychology

KW - Psychiatry

KW - Psychosis

KW - Psychotherapy

KW - Schizophrenia

U2 - 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115834

DO - 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115834

M3 - Review

AN - SCOPUS:85187023838

VL - 334

JO - Psychiatry Research

JF - Psychiatry Research

SN - 0165-1781

M1 - 115834

ER -