Virtual Humans in Virtual Reality Mental Health Research: Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Virtual reality (VR) is showing increasing promise for assessing, understanding, and treating mental health difficulties. Virtual humans (VHs) represent a key aspect within many VR mental health applications. While VHs can play diverse roles and display varied characteristics, their design and influence have rarely been the primary focus of mental health research.

Objective

We aimed to carry out a systematic review of how VHs in immersive VR have been used in applications for mental health, focusing on their roles and interaction types, and the human characteristics being tested.

Methods

Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, we searched PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science, usi

SUBMITTER: Wei S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12671307 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature