Virtual reality exposure therapy: A Bibliometric Analysis (1996–2024)

Aims: The aim of this study is to provide an overview of academic research on VRET by using bibliometric analysis and bibliographic visualization maps to evaluate the increasing academic interest in this field over the past 18 years. Methods: A total of 585 publications indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database between 1996 and 2024 were included in the study. Within the scope of the study, bibliometric research methodology was applied to obtain information about the scientific production on VRET interventions and to understand the contributions of keywords, authors, institutions, journals, and topics that shape the evolution of the field. Tables and graphs were created under four main headings to reveal the scientific production performance in the field: (I) Analysis of Scientific Production, (II) Contribution of the Main Authors, (III) Frequently Cited Documents, and (IV) Country and Region Contributions. In order to reveal the intellectual structure of the field of study, tables and maps were created under three main headings: (I) Author Keyword Co-Occurrence Network, (II) Co-citation Network of Cited Authors, (III) Co-citation Network of Scientific Journals. Results: Within the scope of scientific production analyses, it was determined that 2024 was the year with the highest production. The majority of the research were concentrated in the fields of psychology and psychiatry. Authors with the highest publication frequency were predominantly affiliated with research institutions based in the America and Europe, with the United States standing out as the most significant contributor. According to the co-citation Network of Scientific Journals, Behaviour Research and Therapy emerged as the most influential journal in the field. The author keyword co-occurrence network analysis revealed that terms such as virtual reality, exposure therapy, anxiety, rehabilitation, anxiety disorder, and social anxiety frequently co-occur, indicating thematic interconnections. Furthermore, the co-citation Network of Cited Authors demonstrated that the intellectual structure of the field is primarily centered around topics related to anxiety and stress-related disorders, trauma, and rehabilitation. Conclusion: The findings of this study present a comprehensive analysis of the field and enable the identification of current areas of interest and research potential related to VRET interventions.