(PS3-90) Virtual Reality CBT Interventions for Treating Specific Phobias in Children: A Literature Review

Specific phobias affect about 9% of children, and often interfere with daily functioning. Implementation of effective interventions that reduce symptoms and improve quality of life is necessary. Virtual reality (VR) paired with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as a novel approach in addressing specific phobias among children. The current body of literature exploring the efficacy of VR-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in adult samples is undergoing rapid expansion. Yet, there remains a notable gap in research efforts focused on evaluating its effectiveness within pediatric populations. This literature review aims to present an overall analysis of the existing research concerning the effectiveness of VR-based CBT interventions in the treatment of specific phobias among pediatric populations. Articles published on databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar between 2017 and 2021 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles that examined the use of VR-based CBT for phobias in children within the ages of 8 to 16 years. An initial search yielded a total of 12 articles, in which 6 were selected for review based on specific inclusion criteria. Results of this search indicate that the use of VR-based CBT interventions can successfully reduce symptoms and improve overall functioning in children for a range of specific phobias. However, there are certain phobias of which VR-based CBT was seen to be less effective than in-person therapy. Nevertheless, such results provide convincing evidence for the utility of VR technology in pediatric mental health settings. Future directions of research should work to establish more refined intervention protocols to promote the use of VR technology in pediatric mental health settings on a broader scale.