Cristiana Miranda, Paula Castilho, Raquel Guiomar, The VR-ACT Project Team, Sérgio A. Carvalho, Paulo Menezes, Catarina Duarte, David Skvarc, Ana Rita Silva, Ana Valentim, João Emanuel Diogo, João Sargento Freitas, Inês A. Trindade, Teresa Lapa, Gerhard Andersson, Miguel Castelo-Branco
This meta-analysis aimed to examine the efficacy of virtual reality (VR)-mediated contextual-behavioral interventions for improving mental health, quality of life, and functioning in adults with chronic physical illnesses (CPIs). Following PRISMA, 13 studies ( N = 563) were analyzed. Pre- to post-intervention results showed reductions in depression (SMD = −0.79), anxiety (SMD = −0.86), and improved functioning (SMD = −0.67; all p < .01). Although quality of life, stress, and distress improved, the effects were not statistically significant. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity across all outcomes. Comparisons between experimental and control groups ( k = 2) suggested improvement in anxiety and quality of life (SMD = −0.41 and 0.55, respectively) but not for depression. Most interventions were mindfulness-based and uncontrolled designs. Findings tentatively suggest that VR-based mindfulness interventions help enhance psychological outcomes and functioning, but definite conclusions are unwarranted. Limitations and Future directions are discussed.