Effectiveness of self-guided virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Background: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a prevalent anxiety disorder within contemporary mental health practice, attracting increasing attention. Self-guided virtual reality exposure therapy (SGVRET) has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention for SAD in multiple studies. Although research suggests SGVRET may alleviate SAD symptoms, systematic reviews examining its efficacy in treating SAD remain lacking. Method: This protocol outlines a systematic review designed to assess the efficacy of SGVRET as a intervention for SAD. The study adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included studies must be randomised controlled trials employing SGVRET as the intervention. A comprehensive search will be conducted across databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus, covering studies from the inception of each database up to September 2025. Data synthesis will be performed via meta-analysis or narrative synthesis based on study homogeneity. Furthermore, Stata version 18.0 software will be employed for meta-analysis. Conclusion: This review will systematically evaluate the efficacy of SGVRET in social anxiety disorder, providing an evidence base for its standardised application and assessment among individuals with SAD. Findings from relevant studies will also offer actionable guidance for the design, implementation, and optimisation of digital interventions targeting those with social anxiety. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251151820, identifier CRD420251151820.