Ample evidence supports the use of Virtual Reality for anxiety disorders. Throughout 20 years of research there have continuous advancements, not only in the quality of studies but also in the diversity of populations included as well as the technological progresses developed. All those steps forwards are accurately compiled in several meta-analysis, reviews and chapters. Nonetheless, there is no evidence yet on the potential negative effects and its moderators that Virtual Reality treatment strategies can provoke.

From the diversity of negative effects’ operationalizations, this study uses the deterioration rates concept defined as the worsening of the clinical symptomatology from the pre-test scores to the post-test scores using the Reliable Change Index (RCI). An individual patient data meta-analyses (IPDMA) approach that systematically reviewed all the randomized control trials in Virtual Reality and gathered 16 datasets from the total 35 studies conducted within the field of research. A total of 846 patients constitutes the sample of the study. RCI’s for each primary outcome measure is performed as well as moderator analyses for demographic variables. In this talk the results will be discussed in terms of their clinical and research implications regarding the current status and future challenges of Virtual Reality therapy in the clinical psychology realm.