{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,18]],"date-time":"2026-08-18T04:27:16Z","timestamp":1787027236527,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,3]],"date-time":"2026-06-03T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780444800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychiatry"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The convergence of digital technology and behavioral medicine has catalyzed the development of novel therapeutic modalities. This scoping review systematically synthesizes the literature regarding the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Music Therapy (MT) to delineate current integration paradigms, clinical efficacy, and underlying neurobiological mechanisms.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A systematic search was conducted across major databases for literature published between 2001 and 2024. A total of 34 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed to identify technical frameworks and clinical outcomes across diverse patient populations.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      The synthesis reveals that the integration of VR and MT primarily follows two complementary modalities:\n                      <jats:italic>Immersive Scene Construction<\/jats:italic>\n                      and\n                      <jats:italic>Task-Oriented Intervention<\/jats:italic>\n                      . The former utilizes multisensory immersion to facilitate rapid emotional regulation and stress reduction, while the latter employs goal-driven protocols to enhance functional rehabilitation. Clinical evidence indicates that these combined interventions significantly alleviate symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain, and cognitive impairment. The therapeutic efficacy is driven by a dynamic interplay of autonomic nervous system regulation, enhanced neuroplasticity, multisensory integration, and emotional resonance.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>While the synergistic application of VR and MT shows substantial promise, the field is currently limited by non-standardized intervention parameters, high equipment costs, and an incomplete understanding of how individual variability influences outcomes. Future research must focus on the standardization of treatment protocols, the development of cost-effective technologies, and the implementation of personalized interventions guided by neuroimaging. Advancing these areas is critical to transitioning from experimental frameworks to widespread clinical adoption, ultimately providing innovative solutions for global mental and physical health challenges.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2026.1824248","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,3]],"date-time":"2026-06-03T06:01:03Z","timestamp":1780466463000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The synergistic application of virtual reality and music therapy: a scoping review"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Aoyi","family":"Li","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Music Education, Wuhan Conservatory of Music","place":["Wuhan, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Fuqiu","family":"Jian","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Music Education, Wuhan Conservatory of Music","place":["Wuhan, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,3]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3576","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-20961-4","article-title":"Continuous worsening of population emotional stress globally: Universality and variations","volume":"24","author":"Piao","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.298.14.1685","article-title":"Psychological stress and disease","volume":"298","author":"Cohen","year":"2007","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"891","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1953.02940260115035","article-title":"Stress and disease","volume":"153","author":"Wolff","year":"1953","journal-title":"J Amer Med Assoc"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1401129","article-title":"Music-based therapeutic interventions for medical school students with emotional regulation and mental health: A pre-post cohort study","volume":"15","author":"Chen","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3109\/13668250.2014.965668","article-title":"Music therapy with young people who have profound intellectual and developmental disability: Four case studies exploring communication and engagement within musical interactions","volume":"40","author":"Thompson","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Intellect Dev Dis"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1162\/1054746011470217","article-title":"Music-enhanced immersive virtual reality in the rehabilitation of memory-related cognitive processes and functional abilities: A case report","volume":"10","author":"Optale","year":"2001","journal-title":"Presence-teleop Virt"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/SLE.0000000000001279","article-title":"The effect of virtual reality practice and music on patients\u2019 pain, comfort, and vital signs after laparoscopic abdominal surgery","volume":"34","author":"Okutan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"35","DOI":"10.1111\/jmwh.13413","article-title":"Effect of virtual reality and music therapy on the physiologic parameters of pregnant women and fetuses and on anxiety levels: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"68","author":"Estrella-Juarez","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Midwifery Womens Health"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10639-020-10392-0","article-title":"Utilizing social virtual reality robot (V2R) for music education to children with high-functioning autism","volume":"27","author":"Shahab","year":"2021","journal-title":"Educ Inf Technol"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1357633X19828463","article-title":"Development and feasibility testing of an online virtual reality platform for delivering therapeutic group singing interventions for people living with spinal cord injury","volume":"26","author":"Tamplin","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Telemed Telecare"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"684","DOI":"10.1186\/s12903-023-03407-y","article-title":"A systematic review and network meta-analysis of virtual reality, audiovisuals and music interventions for reducing dental anxiety related to tooth extraction","volume":"23","author":"Hao","year":"2023","journal-title":"BMC Oral Health"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13228","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-017-13153-1","article-title":"Visuo-acoustic stimulation that helps you to relax: A virtual reality setup for patients in the intensive care unit","volume":"7","author":"Gerber","year":"2017","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2015.01969","article-title":"Influence of music on anxiety induced by fear of heights in virtual reality","volume":"6","author":"Seinfeld","year":"2016","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.prdoa.2024.100277","article-title":"Coupling neurologic music therapy with immersive virtual reality to improve executive functions in individuals with Parkinson\u2019s disease: A quasi-randomized clinical trial","volume":"11","author":"Impellizzeri","year":"2024","journal-title":"Clin Parkinsonism Related Disord"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.4236\/jbise.2020.138018","article-title":"EEG analysis of the contribution of music therapy and virtual reality to the improvement of cognition in Alzheimer\u2019s disease","volume":"13","author":"Byrns","year":"2020","journal-title":"J BioMed Sci Eng"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/nyas.15249","article-title":"Virtual reality-based music attention training for acquired brain injury: A randomized crossover study","volume":"1541","author":"Jeong","year":"2024","journal-title":"Ann N Y Acad Sci"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000001539","article-title":"Virtual reality, music, and pain: Developing the premise for an interdisciplinary approach to pain management","volume":"160","author":"Honzel","year":"2019","journal-title":"Pain"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3233\/JAD-201554","article-title":"Benefits in Alzheimer\u2019s disease of sensory and multisensory stimulation","volume":"82","author":"Yang","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Alzheimers Dis"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17073","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-022-21575-9","article-title":"Investigating the role of auditory and visual sensory inputs for inducing relaxation during virtual reality stimulation","volume":"12","author":"Naef","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616","article-title":"Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework","volume":"8","author":"Arksey","year":"2005","journal-title":"International journal of social research methodology"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jocn.16755","article-title":"Efficacy of nonpharmacologic interventions in preoperative anxiety: A systematic review of systematic reviews","volume":"32","author":"Aguero-Millan","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Clin Nurs"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5216\/mh.v21.65681","article-title":"Interactive technological resources and their possible contributions to the field of music therapy: A systematic review 1999 to 2019","volume":"21","author":"Ropke","year":"2021","journal-title":"Musica Hodie"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/frvir.2024.1290396","article-title":"The use of virtual technologies with music in rehabilitation: A scoping systematic review","volume":"5","author":"Tuominen","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Virtual Reality"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/jmt\/41.1.70","article-title":"Effect of virtual reality graded exposure on anxiety levels of performing musicians: A case study","volume":"41","author":"Orman","year":"2004","journal-title":"J Music Ther"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/17483107.2015.1089328","article-title":"Perceptions of clinical utility of an augmented reality musical software among health care professionals","volume":"12","author":"Corr\u00eaa","year":"2015","journal-title":"Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3233\/nre-172415","article-title":"The effects of robot-assisted gait training using virtual reality and auditory stimulation on balance and gait abilities in persons with stroke","volume":"43","author":"Park","year":"2018","journal-title":"Neurorehabilitation"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jcp.29422","article-title":"Virtual reality and music therapy as distraction interventions to alleviate anxiety and improve mood states in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy","volume":"235","author":"Chirico","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Cell Physiol"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/jpm.2020.0403","article-title":"Virtual reality-based music therapy in palliative care: A pilot implementation trial","volume":"24","author":"Brungardt","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Palliat Med"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"653","DOI":"10.1089\/jpm.2021.0034","article-title":"Response to Brungardt et\u00a0al.: Virtual reality-based music therapy in palliative care: A pilot implementation trial (DOI: 10.1089\/jpm.2020.0403)","volume":"24","author":"Wakiguchi","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Palliat Med"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fresc.2022.864990","article-title":"Virtual reality and music\u2019s impact on psychological well-being","volume":"3","author":"Alexanian","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Rehabil Sci"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.47513\/mmd.v14i3.865","article-title":"Neglect, virtual reality and music therapy: A narrative review","volume":"14","author":"Danso","year":"2022","journal-title":"Music Med"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"A8","DOI":"10.1016\/j.adaj.2023.03.007","article-title":"Effect of virtual reality and music therapy on anxiety and perioperative pain in surgical extraction of impacted third molars (vol 154, pg 206, 2023)","volume":"154","author":"De Ramon","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Am Dent Assoc"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.47513\/mmd.v15i3.906","article-title":"Effects of receptive music therapy combined with virtual reality on prevalent symptoms in patients with advanced cancer","volume":"15","author":"Iturri","year":"2023","journal-title":"Music Med"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2023.1192181","article-title":"Virtual reality-based music attention training for acquired brain injury: A protocol for randomized cross-over trial","volume":"14","author":"Shin","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/pmr.2024.0022","article-title":"Patient outcomes of a virtual reality-based music therapy pilot in palliative care","volume":"5","author":"Brungardt","year":"2024","journal-title":"Palliat Med Rep"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-024-74932-1","article-title":"Raga Bhairavi in virtual reality reduces stress-related psychophysiological markers","volume":"14","author":"Chand","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jopan.2024.01.022","article-title":"The effect of virtual reality, music therapy, and stress ball application on pain and anxiety during outpatient gynecological procedures: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"39","author":"\u00d6z","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Perianesth Nurs"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.63017","article-title":"Effect of virtual reality glasses and melody on cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in patients with knee replacement surgery under combined spinal epidural anaesthesia","volume":"16","author":"Singh","year":"2024","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.evopsy.2023.11.004","article-title":"Autism and immersive musical therapy: Space as a component of timbre","volume":"89","author":"Vinot","year":"2024","journal-title":"Evol Psychiatr (Paris)"},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejogrb.2024.02.038","article-title":"The effect of virtual reality and music on anxiety, non-stress test parameters, and satisfaction of high-risk pregnant women undergoing non-stress tests: Randomized controlled trial","volume":"296","author":"Sezer","year":"2024","journal-title":"Eur J Obstetrics Gynecology Reprod Biol"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychiatry"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2026.1824248\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,3]],"date-time":"2026-06-03T06:01:05Z","timestamp":1780466465000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2026.1824248\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,3]]},"references-count":40,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyt.2026.1824248"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyt.2026.1824248","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-0640"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-0640","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,3]]},"article-number":"1824248"}}