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The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Interventions on Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol, Physical Activity and/or Obesity Risk Factors: A Systematic Review

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  • Peter Tatnell

    (School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia)

  • Prince Atorkey

    (School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia
    Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia)

  • Flora Tzelepis

    (School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
    Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia
    Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia)

Abstract

To our knowledge, no systematic reviews have examined the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) interventions across all smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical activity, and/or obesity (SNAPO) risk factors. This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of VR interventions on reducing SNAPO risks compared to control groups or other interventions. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL were searched to identify eligible studies published to 7 October 2021. Two reviewers independently completed screening, data extraction and quality assessment. Twenty-six studies were included, five on smoking, twelve on physical activity (PA), six on obesity, one on PA and obesity, one on obesity and nutrition, and one on obesity, nutrition and PA. VR was effective for smoking cessation in three studies and for smoking reduction in four studies. Seven studies had significantly higher PA in the VR group, and one study found significantly higher PA in a comparator group. Two studies showed VR was more effective at reducing BMI or weight than comparators. Three multiple health risks studies showed mixed results. The remaining studies found no significant difference between VR and control/comparators. VR appears promising for the treatment of smoking, nutrition, PA, and obesity risks; however, further randomised trials are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Tatnell & Prince Atorkey & Flora Tzelepis, 2022. "The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Interventions on Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol, Physical Activity and/or Obesity Risk Factors: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10821-:d:902028
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jessica Navarro & Ausiàs Cebolla & Roberto Llorens & Adrián Borrego & Rosa M. Baños, 2020. "Manipulating Self-Avatar Body Dimensions in Virtual Worlds to Complement an Internet-Delivered Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Overweight Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-14, June.
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