Li J, Theng YL, Foo S Game-based digital interventions for depression therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2014 Aug;17(8):519-27. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2013.0481. Epub 2014 May 8. Review.
Maples-Keller JL, Bunnell BE, Kim SJ, Rothbaum BO The Use of Virtual Reality Technology in the Treatment of Anxiety and Other Psychiatric Disorders. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2017 May/Jun;25(3):103-113. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000138. Review.
Szczepanska-Gieracha J, Morka J, Kowalska J, Kustrzycki W, Rymaszewska J The role of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the evaluation of cardiac rehabilitation efficacy after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012 Nov;42(5):e108-14. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezs463. Epub 2012 Aug 19.
Thompson T, Steffert T, Steed A, Gruzelier J A randomized controlled trial of the effects of hypnosis with 3-D virtual reality animation on tiredness, mood, and salivary cortisol. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2011 Jan;59(1):122-42. doi: 10.1080/00207144.2011.522917.
Valmaggia LR, Latif L, Kempton MJ, Rus-Calafell M Virtual reality in the psychological treatment for mental health problems: An systematic review of recent evidence. Psychiatry Res. 2016 Feb 28;236:189-195. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.01.015. Epub 2016 Jan 12. Review.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality Therapy as a Method Supporting the Cardiac Rehabilitation
Interventional studies are often prospective and are specifically tailored to evaluate direct impacts of treatment or preventive measures on disease.
Observational studies are often retrospective and are used to assess potential causation in exposure-outcome relationships and therefore influence preventive methods.
Expanded access is a means by which manufacturers make investigational new drugs available, under certain circumstances, to treat a patient(s) with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a controlled clinical trial.
Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.
Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.
