Saturday 25 July 09:50
- 11:20
Hall: 05 - Ottagonale
Chair and Presenter:
Moreno Alexander
Co-Chair:
Fajnerová Iveta
Division: Division 8: Health Psychology
According to the World Health Organization, anxiety disorders represent the most prevalent mental health conditions globally, frequently manifesting during childhood or adolescence. Untreated anxiety can significantly impair social functioning and participation across multiple domains, including family, academic, and occupational settings. Psychological interventions have demonstrated efficacy in anxiety management, and virtual reality (VR) has recently emerged as a promising, safe, and cost-effective adjunctive modality that facilitates immersive, nonpharmacological treatment.
This symposium aims to present empirical evidence illustrating the clinical utility of VR-based interventions across diverse age groups. The initial presentation compares the efficacy of an experiential simulation and a biofeedback-enhanced relaxation protocol in seriously ill children and adolescents. Subsequently, findings from a clinical trial involving adults diagnosed with anxiety disorders reveal significant reductions in anxiety symptoms, decreased respiratory rates, and improved subjective relaxation following four VR sessions. Both studies use the Czech-developed VR application BreezeTerraVR.
A systematic review then synthesizes current research on VR applications in palliative care across pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations. The final three presentations focus on the co-development and implementation of a Canadian VR platform, "Come with me," designed to alleviate anxiety among hospitalized patients receiving end-of-life care and their family caregivers in Quebec.
Collectively, these six presentations offer valuable cross-cultural and cross-generational perspectives, demonstrating how psychological theory and technological innovation converge to deliver brief, targeted VR interventions for anxiety. The findings underscore VR's potential to enhance the accessibility, engagement, and efficacy of evidence-based anxiety treatments throughout the lifespan, representing a significant advancement in clinical psychological science.
