The Role of Virtual Reality as a Psychological Intervention for Mental Health Disturbances during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Muhammad Hizri Hatta, Hatta Sidi, Shalisah Sharip, Srijit Das and Suriati Mohamed Saini
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Muhammad Hizri Hatta: Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
Hatta Sidi: Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
Shalisah Sharip: Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
Srijit Das: Department of Human & Clinical Anatomy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
Suriati Mohamed Saini: Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the world and created many problems. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in mortality and morbidity, including mental health problems. Around the world, the movement control order (MCO) was strictly enforced, but the spread of the infection epidemic was still rampant. The magnitude of the increase in mental health illnesses has caused many individuals to suffer. Given that face-to-face interventions are challenging to carry out during an outbreak, we need to address this critical problem through an online approach, such as virtual reality (VR). This approach is vital to helping patients deal with their existing problems in more pragmatic, practical, and customer-friendly ways. Thus, in the present review, we proposed the development of a virtual digital device for this noble purpose. Various challenges, improvements, and expectations for VR applications were outlined and discussed in this narrative review.

Keywords: COVID-19; mental health problems; digital devices; virtual reality applications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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