virtual reality: a step forward in diagnosing schizophrenia

Diagnosing a heterogeneous disorder like schizophrenia is still based on patients’ report of their subjective experiences. recently, the utilization of innovative, computer-based technologies such as virtual reality (vr) to objectify these experiences has gained experts’ attention. vr provides a multidimensional, interactive environment, in which the formation of paranoid thoughts in different settings, as well as patients’ reaction to virtual characters, can be assessed. vr also offers a milieu to evaluate other aspects of the disorder such as cognitive deficits and negative symptoms. trying to objectify the diagnosis not only can help specialists to have a more goal-directed management approach but also benefits patients with receiving better care. herein, we briefly report the new advances of applying vr in the evaluation and diagnosis of schizophrenia, a novel approach that in turn can accelerate the rehabilitation and the treatment of the disorder.