Virtual Reality Technology in Autism Rehabilitation:Current Applications and Future Prospects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46690/era.2026.02.05Abstract
This study used Biblioshiny, a bibliometric analysis tool, to systematically review and visualize the literature on virtual reality technology in autism rehabilitation indexed in the Web of Science database from 2000 to 2025. The results showed a continued increase in research activity in this field. Major research directions included social skills training, attention training, emotion recognition and regulation training, daily adaptive skills training, vocational preparation and interview training, and interventions for comorbid conditions. The application of virtual reality in autism rehabilitation presents both potential advantages and limitations. Future research is expected to move toward multidimensional collaborative interventions, the integration and upgrading of technological forms, deeper AI-driven approaches, and a stronger human-centered design orientation.
Document Type: Original article
Cited as: Lu, H., & Qi, R. (2026). Virtual reality technology in autism rehabilitation: Current applications and future prospects. Educational Research Advances, 1(2), 113-123. https://doi.org/10.46690/era.2026.02.05
Downloads
Keywords:
Virtual Realit, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rehabilitation Training, Current Applications and Future Prospects, BiblioshinyReferences
Abdel Ghafar, M. A., Abdelraouf, O. R., Harraz, E. M., Seyam, M. K., Morsy, W. E., Amin, W. M., & Abd-Elfattah, H. M. (2025). Virtual reality rehabilitation helps to improve postural balance in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized control trial. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 45(4), 423-436. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2025.2466555
Al Kheraif, A. A., Adam, T. R., Wasi, A., Alhassoun, R. K., Haddadi, R. M., & Alnamlah, M. (2024). Impact of virtual reality intervention on anxiety and level of cooperation in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder during the dental examination. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(20), Article 6093. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13206093
Amat, A. Z., Zhao, H., Swanson, A., Weitlauf, A. S., Warren, Z., & Sarkar, N. (2021). Design of an interactive virtual reality system, InViRS, for joint attention practice in autistic children. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 29, 1866-1876. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2021.3108351
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Atsalaki, K., & Kazanidis, I. (2025). Combining virtual reality visual novels and social stories to support social and emotional development in children with autism spectrum disorder. Applied Sciences, 15(12), Article 6584. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15126584
Capobianco, M., Puzzo, C., Di Matteo, C., Costa, A., & Adriani, W. (2025). Current virtual reality-based rehabilitation interventions in neuro-developmental disorders at developmental ages. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 18, Article 1441615. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1441615
Chita-Tegmark, M. (2016). Social attention in ASD: A review and meta-analysis of eye-tracking studies. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 48, 79-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.10.011
Chu, L., Shen, L., Ma, C., Chen, J., Tian, Y., Zhang, C., Gong, Z., Li, M., Wang, C., Pan, L., Zhu, P., Wu, D., Wang, Y., & Yu, G. (2023). Effects of a nonwearable digital therapeutic intervention on preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder in China: Open-label randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, Article e45836. https://doi.org/10.2196/45836
Davis, T. E., & Brennan, J. (2024). Specific phobia, fear, and the autism spectrum in children and adolescents: Adapting OST for ASD. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 27, 509-522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-024-00475-6
Didehbani, N., Allen, T., Kandalaft, M., Krawczyk, D., & Chapman, S. (2016). Virtual reality social cognition training for children with high functioning autism. Computers in Human Behavior, 62, 703-711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.04.033
Elsabbagh, M. (2020). Linking risk factors and outcomes in autism spectrum disorder: Is there evidence for resilience? BMJ, 368, Article l6880. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l6880
Emmelkamp, P. M. G., & Meyerbröker, K. (2021). Virtual reality therapy in mental health. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 17, 495-519. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-115923
Fett-Conte, A. C., Bossolani-Martins, A. L., & Rosan, D. B. A. (2015). Etiology of autism: The complexity of risk factors in autism spectrum disorder. In M. Fitzgerald (Ed.), Autism spectrum disorder: Recent advances. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/59109
Fu, W., Tao, T., Wang, J., Peng, Z., & Wang, Y. (2025). Application of virtual reality technology in intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Special Education Technology, 40(4), 519-529. https://doi.org/10.1177/01626434251317984
Gabrielli, S., Cristofolini, M., Dianti, M., Alvari, G., Vallefuoco, E., Bentenuto, A., Venuti, P., Mayora Ibarra, O., & Salvadori, E. (2023). Co-design of a virtual reality multiplayer adventure game for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Mixed methods study. JMIR Serious Games, 11, Article e51719. https://doi.org/10.2196/51719
Genova, H. M., Lancaster, K., Morecraft, J., Haas, M., Edwards, A., DiBenedetto, M., Krch, D., DeLuca, J., & Smith, M. J. (2021). A pilot RCT of virtual reality job interview training in transition-age youth on the autism spectrum. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 89, Article 101878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101878
Hu, X.-Y., & Liu, Y.-H. (1998). Gu du zheng pu xi zhang ai er tong de jiao yu [Education of children with autism spectrum disorder] (Facsimile ed.). Shanghai Classics Publishing House.
Ip, H. H. S., Wong, S. W. L., Chan, D. F. Y., Byrne, J., Li, C., Yuan, V. S. N., Lau, K. S. Y., Chiu, C. L., Yan, B., Wong, J. Y. W., Chan, C. C. H., & Wong, J. Y. H. (2018). Enhance emotional and social adaptation skills for children with autism spectrum disorder: A virtual reality enabled approach. Computers & Education, 117, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2017.09.010
Ji, C., Yang, J., Lin, L., & Chen, S. (2022). Executive function improvement for children with autism spectrum disorder: A comparative study between virtual training and physical exercise methods. Children, 9(4), Article 507. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9040507
Ke, F., Moon, J., & Sokolikj, Z. (2022). Virtual reality-based social skills training for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Special Education Technology, 37(1), 49-62. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162643420945603
Kim, S. I., Jang, S. Y., Kim, T., Kim, B., Jeong, D., Noh, T., Jeong, M., Hall, K., Kim, M., Yoo, H. J., Han, K., Hong, H., & Kim, J. G. (2024). Promoting self-efficacy of individuals with autism in practicing social skills in the workplace using virtual reality and physiological sensors: Mixed methods study. JMIR Formative Research, 8, Article e52157. https://doi.org/10.2196/52157
Kim, S., Johnson, A. R., Wolpe, S. M., & Volodina, E. (2026). Exploring the feasibility of social skills programs for autistic youth through virtual reality. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 56, 851-864. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06571-4
Kumazaki, H., Yoshikawa, Y., Muramatsu, T., Haraguchi, H., Fujisato, H., Sakai, K., Matsumoto, Y., Ishiguro, H., Sumiyoshi, T., & Mimura, M. (2022). Group-based online job interview training program using virtual robot for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, Article 704564. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.704564
Leekam, S. R., Nieto, C., Libby, S. J., Wing, L., & Gould, J. (2007). Describing the sensory abnormalities of children and adults with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 894-910. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0218-7
Li, C., Belter, M., Liu, J., & Lukosch, H. (2023). Immersive virtual reality enabled interventions for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Electronics, 12(11), Article 2497. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12112497
Lydon, S., Healy, O., O'Callaghan, O., Mulhern, T., & Holloway, J. (2015). A systematic review of the treatment of fears and phobias among children with autism spectrum disorders. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2(2), 141-154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-014-0043-4
Maskey, M., Rodgers, J., Grahame, V., Glod, M., Honey, E., Kinnear, J., Labus, M., Milne, J., Minos, D., McConachie, H., & Parr, J. R. (2019a). A randomised controlled feasibility trial of immersive virtual reality treatment with cognitive behaviour therapy for specific phobias in young people with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(5), 1912-1927. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3861-x
Maskey, M., Rodgers, J., Ingham, B., Freeston, M., Evans, G., Labus, M., & Parr, J. R. (2019b). Using virtual reality environments to augment cognitive behavioral therapy for fears and phobias in autistic adults. Autism in Adulthood, 1(2), 134-145. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2018.0019
Mesa-Gresa, P., Gil-Gómez, H., Lozano-Quilis, J.-A., & Gil-Gómez, J.-A. (2018). Effectiveness of virtual reality for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: An evidence-based systematic review. Sensors, 18(8), Article 2486. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18082486
Miller, I. T., Wiederhold, B. K., Miller, C. S., & Wiederhold, M. D. (2020). Virtual reality air travel training with children on the autism spectrum: A preliminary report. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 23(1), 10-15. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2019.0093
Mittal, P., Bhadania, M., Tondak, N., Ajmera, P., Yadav, S., Kukreti, A., Khandelwal, G., Pal, A., Dabas, P., Ali, S., Mittal, A., Kalra, N., Singla, M., Khan, M. A., & Ajmera, P. (2024). Effect of immersive virtual reality-based training on cognitive, social, and emotional skills in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 151, Article 104771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104771
Newcastle University. (2019, February 15). Blue Room for overcoming phobias in autism [Press release]. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2019/02/blueroomforovercomingphobiasinautism/
Razzak, R., Li, Y. J., He, J. S., Jung, S., Mei, C., & Huang, Y. (2025). Using virtual reality to enhance attention for autistic spectrum disorder with eye tracking. High-Confidence Computing, 5(1), Article 100234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hcc.2024.100234
Sanku, B. S., Li, Y. J., Jung, S., Mei, C., & He, J. S. (2023). Enhancing attention in autism spectrum disorder: Comparative analysis of virtual reality-based training programs using physiological data. Frontiers in Computer Science, 5, Article 1250652. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2023.1250652
Sauer, A. K., Stanton, J. E., Hans, S., & Grabrucker, A. M. (2021). Autism spectrum disorders: Etiology and pathology. In A. M. Grabrucker (Ed.), Autism spectrum disorders (pp. 1-15). Exon Publications. https://doi.org/10.36255/exonpublications.autismspectrumdisorders.2021.etiology
Sepehri Bonab, H., Ebrahimi Sani, S., & Behzadnia, B. (2025). The impact of virtual reality intervention on emotion regulation and executive functions in autistic children. Games for Health Journal, 14(2), 146-158. https://doi.org/10.1089/g4h.2023.0240
Shahab, M., Taheri, A., Mokhtari, M., Shariati, A., Heidari, R., Meghdari, A., & Alemi, M. (2022). Utilizing social virtual reality robot (V2R) for music education to children with high-functioning autism. Education and Information Technologies, 27, 819-843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10392-0
Si, J.-L., & Hu, S.-A. (2023). Guowai fazhanxing yuyan zhang'ai ertong yuyan xide yanjiu xianzhuang yu qushi: Jiyu Biblioshiny de keshihua fenxi [Current status and trends in language acquisition research on children with developmental language disorder abroad: A visualization analysis based on Biblioshiny]. Chinese Journal of Special Education, (6), 64-73.
Smith, M. J., Ginger, E. J., Wright, K., Wright, M. A., Taylor, J. L., Humm, L. B., Olsen, D. E., Bell, M. D., & Fleming, M. F. (2014). Virtual reality job interview training in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 2450-2463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2113-y
Soltiyeva, A., Oliveira, W., Alimanova, M., Adilkhan, S., Urmanov, M., & Hamari, J. (2023). My Lovely Granny's Farm: An immersive virtual reality training system for children with autism spectrum disorder. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 16887-16907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11862-x
Stasolla, F., Curcio, E., Zullo, A., Passaro, A., & Di Gioia, M. (2024). Integrating artificial intelligence-based programs into autism therapy: Innovations for personalized rehabilitation. In M. Bolanowski, M. Ganzha, L. Maciaszek, M. Paprzycki, & D. Ślęzak (Eds.), Communication Papers of the 19th Conference on Computer Science and Intelligence Systems (FedCSIS) (pp. 169-176). ACSIS. https://doi.org/10.15439/2024F6229
Toma, M. V., Turcu, C. E., Turcu, C. O., Vlad, S., Tiliute, D. E., & Pascu, P. (2024). Extended reality-based mobile app solutions for the therapy of children with autism spectrum disorders: Systematic literature review. JMIR Serious Games, 12, Article e49906. https://doi.org/10.2196/49906
Van Pelt, B. J., Nijman, S. A., Van Haren, N. E. M., Veling, W., Pijnenborg, G. H. M., Van Balkom, I. D. C., Landlust, A. M., & Greaves-Lord, K. (2022). Dynamic interactive social cognition training in virtual reality (DiSCoVR) for adults with autism spectrum disorder: A feasibility study. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 96, Article 102003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2022.102003
Yan, W., Zhai, T., Li, Y., Chen, J., Sun, Z., Lin, Y., Zhang, X., & Du, Y. (2025). Effects of immersive virtual reality training on the adaptive skills of children and adolescents with high functioning autism spectrum disorder: A mixed-methods pre-post study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, Article 1570437. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1570437
Yeh, C.-C., & Meng, Y.-R. (2025). Effectiveness of virtual reality social skills training for students with autism and social difficulties observed through behavior and brain waves. Applied Sciences, 15(9), Article 4600. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094600
Zhang, K., Chen, J., Yang, Z., Ji, Y., Min, Y., Wang, G., & Liu, X. (2025). Investigating joint attention in children with autism spectrum disorder through virtual reality and eye-tracking: A comparative study. Education and Information Technologies, 30, 18779-18798. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-025-13554-0
Zhang, M., Ding, H., Naumceska, M., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Virtual reality technology as an educational and intervention tool for children with autism spectrum disorder: Current perspectives and future directions. Behavioral Sciences, 12(5), Article 138. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12050138
Zhao, J., Zhang, X., Lu, Y., Wu, X., Zhou, F., Yang, S., Wang, L., Wu, X., & Fei, F. (2022). Virtual reality technology enhances the cognitive and social communication of children with autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, Article 1029392. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1029392
Zhao, W., Xu, S., Zhang, Y., Li, D., Zhu, C., & Wang, K. (2024). The application of extended reality in treating children with autism spectrum disorder. Neuroscience Bulletin, 40, 1189-1204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-024-01190-6
