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Purpose This study provides a comprehensive overview of the application of virtual reality (VR) in treating sexual disorders. It aims to systematically assess the current state of knowledge, identify significant research limitations, and outline future directions for leveraging VR technology in the management of these conditions. Design/methodology/approach A scoping systematic review was conducted, searching 11 major databases up to October 2023. From an initial pool of 49,245 records, 55 documents were identified as relevant. The final analysis focused on a subset of 8 primary experimental studies and 18 review articles specifically addressing the use of VR for sexual disorders. Findings The review found a limited number of primary studies, most of which are dated. Research has predominantly focused on male dysfunctions, such as erectile disorder and premature ejaculation, with a significant lack of studies on female or less common sexual disorders. A major issue identified was the poor quality of reporting in studies, particularly concerning methodological details, equipment specifications and ethical considerations. Research limitations/implications The primary limitation is the small number of methodologically sound studies available, which restricts definitive conclusions about efficacy. This review implies an urgent need for high-quality, replicable research with diverse populations and standardized reporting to validate VR’s therapeutic potential. Practical implications For clinicians, these findings advise caution when considering VR therapy due to a lack of standardized protocols. For developers, they highlight a clear need to create effective VR software compatible with commercially available hardware. This research guides future studies toward adopting rigorous reporting standards, like the TIDieR checklist, to build a reliable evidence base. These findings suggest that while VR holds therapeutic potential, current evidence is preliminary. Rigorous, standardized research protocols are required to validate efficacy before VR-based interventions can be confidently recommended for routine clinical practice. Social implications VR therapy could increase treatment accessibility for sexual disorders, a topic often laden with stigma, by providing a private and controlled therapeutic setting. This may encourage more individuals to seek help. The findings also underscore a social need to include diverse populations, such as LGBTQ + individuals, in future research to ensure equitable development of these tools. Ethically, the use of immersive technology for such sensitive issues requires careful oversight to protect vulnerable patients and ensure that these novel therapies enhance well-being without introducing new harms. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first scoping systematic review to comprehensively synthesize the evidence on VR applications across a wide range of sexual disorders. It uniquely highlights the critical gaps in current research, including the lack of long-term studies and participant diversity, and the absence of standardized protocols, thereby providing a foundational guide for future rigorous investigation in this emerging field.
Szymańska et al. (Thu,) studied this question.