Virtual Reality for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

 Virtual reality (VR) technology has been used in a variety of healthcare settings, including the treatment of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Recently, VR has also been explored as a potential intervention for insomnia, a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. This article will provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature on the use of VR for the treatment of insomnia.

A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of VR for insomnia. The studies were assessed for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and the outcomes of interest were subjective measures of sleep quality, including sleep onset latency, total sleep time, and wake after sleep onset.

A total of 11 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis, involving a total of 383 participants. The studies varied in terms of the type of VR intervention used, including virtual environments designed to induce relaxation, mindfulness, or cognitive distraction. The control interventions included placebo VR interventions, sleep hygiene education, and relaxation exercises.

The meta-analysis found that VR interventions were associated with significant improvements in subjective measures of sleep quality, including sleep onset latency, total sleep time, and wake after sleep onset. The effects of VR on sleep quality were maintained over a longer period of time compared to control interventions. However, the quality of the evidence was moderate to low, and there was considerable variability in the types of VR interventions used across studies.

The findings suggest that VR may be a promising non-pharmacological intervention for the treatment of insomnia. VR has several advantages over traditional interventions, including the ability to provide a personalized and immersive experience that may be more engaging and effective for some individuals. Additionally, VR interventions can be tailored to an individual's specific needs and preferences.

However, there are several limitations to the study that should be considered. The number of studies included in the meta-analysis was relatively small, and the quality of the evidence was moderate to low. Additionally, the studies varied in terms of the type of VR intervention used, which may have affected the results.

In conclusion, the findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VR may be a promising intervention for the treatment of insomnia. VR has the potential to improve sleep quality, particularly in terms of reducing sleep onset latency and increasing total sleep time. Further research is needed to better understand the optimal protocols for delivering VR interventions and to determine the long-term effects of this intervention on sleep quality.