ABSTRACT

Objective: We systematically reviewed the literature and compared the effects of virtual reality (VR)-based social interventions on people with developmental disabilities. Methods: Studies published between March 2012 and March 2022 were included. PubMed, CINAHL, SCIENCE ON, and ERIC were used as databases for the literature searches and included handsearched papers from Google Scholar. The main search terms were “Developmental disorder” OR “Autism spectrum disorder” OR “Intellectual disability” OR “Asperger's” AND “Virtual reality” OR “Augmented reality” AND “Social” both in Korean and English. The selected literature was systematically analyzed according to the PICO (Patients, Intervention, Control, Outcome). Results: The VR-based social program was mainly applied to the autism spectrum disorder and Asperger's disorder groups. The target ages ranged from childhood to adulthood. Peer relationships and adaptation to school life are the primary goals of training children and adolescents. Job interviews and work skills tests were conducted during adulthood. VR-based social programs are helpful in improving emotional recognition and communication and vocational skills in persons with developmental disabilities. Conclusion: VR-based social programs have clinical utility in various therapeutic contexts and conditions. In the future, VR-based social programs that reflect the characteristics of various diagnostic groups should be studied.