Exploring Virtual Reality Art Interventions for Mental Health among University Students: A Bibliometric Analysis (2014–2024)

Existing research highlights the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) and art therapy (ART) in improving mental health. Virtual reality art interventions (VRAI) offer a promising avenue for exploring innovative tools to enhance positive emotions and mental health among university students. However, a significant research gap exists regarding the comprehensive analysis of the intersection between VR, art therapy, and mental health. This study employs first bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science (WOS) database from 2014 to 2024, utilizing VOSviewer 1.6 for statistical visualization and analysis. The research objectives include identifying research hotspots and clusters, trends, and gaps in VRAI for university student mental health. This bibliometric analysis reveals a significant upward trend in scholarly activity at the intersection. This preliminary investigation provides key insights supporting the integration of Virtual Reality Art Interventions (VRAI) into mental health programs, with the aim of aiding university students in regulating emotions. The findings the potential tool of virtual reality art interventions for mental health, particularly virtual painting, with significant contributions from cross-disciplinary studies.