Virtual reality therapy for adolescent depression: a prospective observational study

作者：Huimin Gao, Rui Li, Shiling Wu, Wanling Huang, Liju Qian, Meng Zhang, K Li · 发表于：BMC Psychiatry · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s12888-025-07729-9 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Digital Mental Health Interventions、Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts、Tryptophan and brain disorders

BACKGROUND: Adolescent depression represents a significant public health challenge, often characterized by emotional instability and poor adherence to conventional therapies. Virtual reality (VR) offers a novel, immersive tool designed to enhance engagement and emotional regulation. This study aimed to evaluate this approach and identify predictors of treatment remission. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted at Shandong Daizhuang Hospital from December 2024 to February 2025, enrolling 100 adolescents (≤19 years). This study employed a VR platform to deliver a combined intervention of relaxation therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The intervention consisted of 10 sessions of 15-minute VR therapy over two weeks. The change in the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) score from baseline to post-treatment was assessed, with remission defined as a post-treatment SDS score of less than 53. At baseline, we collected demographic characteristics, clinical features, and inflammatory markers. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the SDS and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) at both baseline and the 2-week endpoint. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of remission. RESULTS: Of the 100 participants recruited, 84 completed the study. The study cohort consisted of 68 females (81.95%) and 16 males (19.05%), with a median age of 15.00 years (interquartile range: 14.00–16.00). Following the ...