Enhancing Physical Activity with Immersive Virtual Reality

A Systematic Review

Bibliographic Data

ID22004594
AuthorsAlessio Mocco (0009-0000-5730-3078, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Psychiatry Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy), Lucia Valmaggia (0000-0001-6099-8464, ORYGEN, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia), Lara Bernardi (Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Psychiatry Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy), Margherita Alfieri (PGY-3 Resident in Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy), Ilaria Tarricone (0000-0002-5786-2520, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Psychiatry Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy)
Year2024
Volume27
Issue5
Pages303-317
Publication date2024-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2152-2715 • E-ISSN: 2152-2723
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1089/cyber.2023.0394
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited60

The aim of this article is to review how immersive virtual reality-enhanced physical activity (IVR-PA) can be used to improve psychological, physiological, and performance outcomes linked to exercising and to compare it with non-immersive virtual reality-enhanced physical activity (nIVR-PA) and with traditional physical activity (TR-PA). We also aimed to explore the effectiveness of IVR-PA in promoting psychological well-being and engagement in physical activity. A systematic literature review (Prospero CRD42022330572) was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. OVID (including Medline, Embase, GlobalHealth, and APA PsychInfo), Web of Science, and Sport Discuss were searched. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment. The search identified 26,548 titles. After screening, 20 studies (the total number of participants was 798) published between 2009 and 2023 were included in this systematic review. The quality of the studies was rated as weak ( n = 9), moderate ( n = 10), or strong ( n = 1). Overall, the reviewed studies indicated that, compared with TR-PA and nIVR-PA, IVR-PA was associated with an increase in enjoyment of physical activity, a reduction in perceived exertion, and increased rates of self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and exercise intention. Furthermore, some studies showed higher muscular strength and aerobic increase after an IVR-PA intervention compared with TR-PA. The findings suggest that IVR-PA can improve psychological, physiological, and performance outcomes linked to exercising, as well as improving psychological well-being and engagement in physical activity. However, owing to the methodological limitations of the reviewed studies, further research is encouraged

Tools

Open DOI