Introduction This study aims to determine the guidelines for the design of a social skills training programme for people with schizophrenia using virtual reality. Methods This article encompasses two studies: Study 1, a systematic review of five articles indexed in the databases B-on, PubMed, Clinical trials and Cochrane Library (2010–2020); Study 2, a focus group of occupational therapists trained in mental health and multimedia professionals, in which they discussed the outline of such a programme. Results A set of guidelines were identified as central and consensual which should be included in the programme. It must have multilevel logic and gradual learning, with simulations of everyday situations, in which it is possible to practise the skills of conversation and communication. Virtual reality provides people with schizophrenia with unlimited opportunities, enhancing a personalized intervention. Conclusion Social skills training could be part of the treatment for people with schizophrenia, and virtual reality is a promising tool to complement traditional training, although still little implemented in mental health services. Occupational therapists have a prominent role in the development and application of this because of their knowledge of activity analysis and their ability to facilitate the generalization of skills in different contexts.

Schizophrenia is characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. The social skill deficits often predate the onset of schizophrenia, are present at the first episode, are stable over time in the absence of psychosocial treatment, and are predictors of relapse and rehospitalization. Social skills training is an efficacious intervention specially to reduce negative symptoms and to improve social functioning for people living with schizophrenia. The use of virtual reality (VR) has been proposed as a possible strategy to overcome these conventional social skills training programs' limitations. The purpose of this scoping review was to design a social skills training program for people with schizophrenia using VR. The inclusion criteria were English language, published between 2010 and 2020, adult participants diagnosed with schizophrenia, and using VR for training social skills. Studies in which the participants had another mental illness or psychopathological instability and studies with interventions without using VR and in which social skills are not measured were excluded. VR seems to be effective for training social skills in people with schizophrenia. VR can add many advantages to the treatment of schizophrenia, appearing to be effective for training social skills. In future studies it would be important to confirm that VR can effectively complement traditional treatments.What is the significance of this article for the general public?The present study suggests that virtual reality offers a very promising alternative to traditional interventions for social skills training for people with schizophrenia. It is important to identify which characteristics could make this approach more engaging and with more durable and generalizable results.