Jul 2026· Multimodal Technologies and Interaction· 0 citations· 20 references
TL;DR
A structured usability-based validation approach for VR systems translating CBT-informed techniques for non-clinical use is demonstrated and offers practical guidance for the design and evaluation of immersive mental health technologies.
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) has increasingly been explored to support mental health interventions, including those informed by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). However, many VR-based CBT systems report limited usability evaluation and minimal practitioner involvement, raising questions about their applicability beyond clinical settings. This study aimed to conduct a usability-focused validation of a gamified VR platform translating selected CBT-informed techniques for non-clinical use. Selected CBT techniques were implemented as short VR mini-games guided by a design rationale emphasising simplicity, symbolic interaction, and ease of use. A user study involving 58 university students evaluated usability using the System Usability Scale (SUS), ISO 9241-11-informed usability categories, and brief anxiety-related self-report measures. In addition, three psychological practitioners reviewed the platform and assessed therapeutic coherence and design alignment. Findings demonstrated good overall usability, positive immediate experiential responses, and practitioner support for the platform’s therapeutic coherence and suitability as a supportive digital wellbeing tool. The study demonstrates a structured usability-based validation approach for VR systems translating CBT-informed techniques and offers practical guidance for the design and evaluation of immersive mental health technologies.
Results indicate that the configuration flow was perceived as easy to learn and use, with generally positive acceptance, and offer concrete design directions for researchers and developers building AI-assisted mental health tools, particularly for users blocked by cost, stigma, or geography.
Fabiha Islam, Shamim Sharbaf, Liang Zhan et al.· Proceedings of the Internati...· 0 citations
The advancement of digital technology has driven innovation in mental health interventions, including Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT), a technology-based approach that enables patients to experience immersive and controlled three-dimensional environments. This literature review aims to examine the concepts and effectiveness of VRT in managing mental health disorders. The findings indicate that VRT is effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders. It is commonly integrated with exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), allowing gradual and controlled exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli in a safe environment. In addition, VRT enhances patient engagement and improves accessibility of mental health services, including through smartphone-based applications. However, several limitations remain, particularly related to methodological variability and the lack of long-term evidence. Therefore, further research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and optimize its implementation in clinical practice. In conclusion, VRT represents a promising and innovative intervention that can serve as both an alternative and complementary approach in mental health care
A. Mufida, Aisyah Adinda Kurniawan, Diska Aprisa Lestari et al.· Lombok Medical Journal· 0 citations
Virtual Reality (VR) has become an increasingly relevant medium for psychological interventions because it can combine immersion, controlled stimuli, and therapist-guided reflection. However, VR systems explicitly grounded in Positive Psychology remain comparatively underexplored, particularly in supervised psychotherapy settings. This paper presents Positive Psychology VR, a Unity-based VR intervention composed of eight virtual environments designed around Positive Psychology constructs, including gratitude, mindfulness, savoring, personal strengths, positive reappraisal, emotional expression, and acts of kindness. We report an exploratory pilot study with 30 adults who participated in three weekly therapist-guided sessions using a Meta Quest 3 head-mounted display, followed by a three-month follow-up. Data were collected through participant characterization, open-ended session reports, psychologist observations, acceptability records, and follow-up feedback. Results indicate high acceptability, with all participants reporting that they would recommend the experience. No serious cybersickness events were reported. Qualitative findings suggest that the intervention supported self-awareness, reflection, emotional regulation, relaxation, and changes in perspective. Nature-inspired, meditation-oriented, and strengths-based environments were among the most frequently used and were often described as memorable anchors for later recall. At follow-up, most respondents reported perceived benefits that extended beyond the sessions, although individual variability was observed. These findings suggest that Positive Psychology-oriented VR can be feasibly integrated into professionally supervised psychotherapy as an adjunctive tool for reflection and emotional well-being. The study contributes design and evaluation insights for immersive therapeutic systems and highlights the need for larger, controlled, and longitudinal studies.
Marina Holanda Kunst, Eliane De Holanda Silva, Willams de Lima Costa et al.· Journal of the Brazilian Com...· 0 citations
A single-arm feasibility pilot study found that VR-based cognitive rehabilitation delivered through an experienced occupational therapy-led hybrid model is feasible and potentially effective for post-stroke cognitive impairment in Singapore.
Shan Wei, Tan Amanda Pei Xuan, Teoh Ai Lin et al.· British Journal of Occupatio...· 0 citations
Public speaking training and public speaking anxiety (PSA) treatment increasingly rely on technology-mediated systems, including web, mobile, desktop, and immersive virtual reality (VR) tools. This comprehensive review identifies and maps information and communication technology (ICT)-based public speaking interventions for educational training and anxiety-oriented treatment, focusing on platform choice, audience simulation, feedback timing, physiological and behavioral sensing, therapeutic framing, practitioner involvement, and evaluation methods. A PRISMA-inspired process documented identification and screening across Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and ERIC for English-language journal articles and conference papers published between 1 February 2015 and 1 February 2025. From 6602 records, 82 participant-validated studies were included. No formal risk-of-bias assessment was conducted. VR accounted for 82.93% of interventions, while research prototypes comprised 72.0% of the evidence base, demonstrating the field’s strong emphasis on immersive and experimental development. At the same time, 64.6% of interventions provided no automated feedback and 36.6% used no physiological or behavioral sensing, highlighting opportunities for more responsive and data-informed systems. The findings can guide the development of future public-speaking training and treatment systems by highlighting recurring design components, promising implementation patterns, and priorities for stronger comparative validation.
Dragoș-Ion Dogioiu, A. A. Morar, A. Moldoveanu et al.· Information· 0 citations
Refinements to navigation, cue salience, and mitigation of negative VR effects are warranted before future efficacy testing, but preliminary feasibility and acceptability of the VET-SAVR prototype for suicide risk identification and lethal means counseling training are supported.
Donna L. Schuman, Micki Washburn, Regina T. Praetorius et al.· PLoS ONE· 0 citations
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