ArticleAdvances in therapy2026
Virtualizing Alcohol Use Disorder Therapy: A Systematic Scoping Review.
Article in Advances in therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundVirtual reality (VR) technology has become more mature and accessible in recent years. In the context of alcohol use disorder (AUD), it can be used for various therapeutic contexts, such as exposure therapy, diagnostics, and improved interactivity. Although promising, the data regarding its effectiveness vary; therefore, caution is warranted when it is introduced. This review aims to illustrate the current state of research on virtual reality in alcohol use disorder therapy.
methodsIn accordance with the PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines, publications focusing on implementing virtual reality to treat alcohol use disorder, published since 2015, were investigated. These included trials, prototype presentations, and expert interviews.
resultsThirty-two publications were identified, 19 of which were trials, with 653 participants. The results indicate that VR has been researched in various therapeutic contexts. In virtual cue-exposure therapy (CET), trials suggest that virtual reality can effectively increase craving and anxiety after one-time use and reduce craving after multiple uses. In diagnostics, trials demonstrate that it is possible to distinguish between heavy and light consumers based on the choices made in virtual reality, leading to a more standardized approach. In virtual approach-avoidance therapy (AAT), trials indicate increased effectiveness in the use of VR compared to the usual two-dimensional approach regarding craving. Non-trial publications focus on the inclusion of specific technologies, such as biofeedback, design choices, and ethical considerations.
conclusionsDespite promising results, current research is limited. From a therapeutic perspective, the limitations are the variety of approaches to development and use, the heterogeneous designs, inconsistent trial results, and the lack of long-term data on abstinence, effectiveness, and potential risks for patients. Technologically, the adaptation of virtual environments and the inclusion of biofeedback devices require more research. Methodically, the interdependence of scientific disciplines increases the complexity. Since virtual reality has been used in other types of therapy with success (e.g., phobia and anxiety treatment) and a growing body of literature presents promising findings, there is a strong incentive to continue research on using virtual reality in treating alcohol use disorder.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.