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Volume 7
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Review

Virtual Reality-Assisted Cognitive Behavioural Interventions for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Mechanisms with Potential Implications for Anxiety, Depression, and Precision Digital Mental Health

by
Maria Teresa Moreira
1,2,*,
Andreia Lima
3,
Diana Ribeiro Martins
1,
Maria Inês Guimarães
2,4,
Inês Lopes Cardoso
2,
Carla Sílvia Fernandes
5,
Telmo Lima da Costa
6 and
Salomé Ferreira
3
1
Fernando Pessoa School of Health, Fernando Pessoa Education and Culture Foundation, 4200-256 Porto, Portugal
2
RISE-Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, 4200-256 Porto, Portugal
3
School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, The Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA:E), 4910-023 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
4
CEISUC—Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal
5
Porto Nursing School (ESEP), Center for Health Technology and Services Research (HealthRISE), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
6
Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(3), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030129
Submission received: 2 April 2026 / Revised: 28 April 2026 / Accepted: 26 May 2026 / Published: 8 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Approaches to Anxiety and Depression: Integrating Digital Technologies in Mental Health Research)
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Abstract

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health concern frequently associated with anxiety and depressive disorders, highlighting the need for innovative and personalised mental health interventions. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a digital tool that may support cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) by enabling immersive and controlled exposure to relevant stimuli. Methods: This scoping review aimed to map how VR is integrated into CBT-oriented interventions for adults with AUD, with a focus on therapeutic mechanisms and their potential relevance for precision digital mental health. The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection for studies published in the last ten years in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Two independent reviewers performed screening and data extraction. Results: Eight studies were included, encompassing approaches such as cue exposure, simulation of high-risk environments, and covert sensitisation. The studies explored mechanisms including craving induction and regulation, identification of individual triggers, emotional processing, and enhancement of self-efficacy. The evidence base was characterised by small sample sizes, heterogeneous designs, and limited longitudinal data. Conclusions: This review provides a structured mapping of current applications of VR within CBT frameworks for AUD and highlights key therapeutic mechanisms that may have transdiagnostic relevance. However, the existing evidence remains preliminary, and findings should be interpreted with caution. The results support the exploration of VR within emerging precision digital mental health approaches, while underscoring the need for further rigorous and standardised research.
Keywords: virtual reality; cognitive behavioural therapy; alcohol use disorder; therapeutic mechanisms; digital mental health virtual reality; cognitive behavioural therapy; alcohol use disorder; therapeutic mechanisms; digital mental health

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MDPI and ACS Style

Moreira, M.T.; Lima, A.; Martins, D.R.; Guimarães, M.I.; Lopes Cardoso, I.; Fernandes, C.S.; Lima da Costa, T.; Ferreira, S. Virtual Reality-Assisted Cognitive Behavioural Interventions for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Mechanisms with Potential Implications for Anxiety, Depression, and Precision Digital Mental Health. Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7, 129. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030129

AMA Style

Moreira MT, Lima A, Martins DR, Guimarães MI, Lopes Cardoso I, Fernandes CS, Lima da Costa T, Ferreira S. Virtual Reality-Assisted Cognitive Behavioural Interventions for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Mechanisms with Potential Implications for Anxiety, Depression, and Precision Digital Mental Health. Psychiatry International. 2026; 7(3):129. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030129

Chicago/Turabian Style

Moreira, Maria Teresa, Andreia Lima, Diana Ribeiro Martins, Maria Inês Guimarães, Inês Lopes Cardoso, Carla Sílvia Fernandes, Telmo Lima da Costa, and Salomé Ferreira. 2026. "Virtual Reality-Assisted Cognitive Behavioural Interventions for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Mechanisms with Potential Implications for Anxiety, Depression, and Precision Digital Mental Health" Psychiatry International 7, no. 3: 129. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030129

APA Style

Moreira, M. T., Lima, A., Martins, D. R., Guimarães, M. I., Lopes Cardoso, I., Fernandes, C. S., Lima da Costa, T., & Ferreira, S. (2026). Virtual Reality-Assisted Cognitive Behavioural Interventions for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Mechanisms with Potential Implications for Anxiety, Depression, and Precision Digital Mental Health. Psychiatry International, 7(3), 129. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030129

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