Application of virtual reality interventions combined with artificial intelligence in the treatment and monitoring of anxiety disorders and chronic pain

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality interventions combined with artificial intelligence algorithms in the treatment and monitoring of anxiety disorders and chronic pain. The research method was a mixed type and quasi-experimental design with two experimental and control groups. Data collection tools included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Brief Pain Index (BPI), and physiological indicators such as heart rate, skin conductance, and brain activity in the virtual reality environment. The virtual reality intervention was designed in an intelligent and adaptive manner; in such a way that visual and auditory stimuli were adjusted based on the participants' biofeedback by the artificial intelligence algorithm. The results of statistical analyses using MANCOVA and ANCOVA tests showed that these interventions caused a significant reduction in the level of anxiety and pain intensity of the participants in the experimental group compared to the control group. In addition, the correlation analysis between physiological indicators and anxiety reduction indicated the formation of automatic regulation of the nervous system. At the three-month follow-up, the stability of the therapeutic effect of the interventions was observed without a significant return of symptoms. These findings suggest that the combination of virtual reality and artificial intelligence can be an innovative, flexible, and feedback-based solution for digital therapies and telecare in the field of psychophysiology.