The combination of cognitive-behavioural therapy with virtual reality for the treatment of post-natal depression

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Stamou ◽  
Azucena Garcia-Palacios ◽  
Cristina Botella
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Post Natal Depression

scholarly journals The Combination of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy with Virtual Reality for the Treatment of Postnatal Depression in a Brief Intervention Context: A Single-Case Study Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
George Stamou ◽  
Azucena Garcia-Palacios ◽  
Brendon J. Woodford ◽  
Carlos Suso-Ribera ◽  
Cristina Botella
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Postnatal Depression ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Study Trial ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
The Individual

Postnatal depression (PND) is a mood disorder with potentially devastating effects to the individual on many levels. It can affect cognitive functioning, motivation, and self-esteem. The person can socially withdraw from their immediate familial or social circle. It can affect bonding and quality time between the mother and baby. There are many effective therapeutic treatments used for the treatment of PND such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). This study using a single-case study trial with 15 participants investigates the clinical usefulness of combining CBT with virtual reality (VR). Results show that the combination of CBT with VR is an effective treatment for PND. In addition, VR can enhance awareness, decision-making, and self-appreciation within the individual and can also have real-life applications. This study also shows that the combination of VR and CBT is feasible, while the use of such a technology is well accepted.

scholarly journals Virtual reality cognitive-behavioural therapy versus cognitive-behavioural therapy for paranoid delusions: a study protocol for a single-blind multi-Centre randomised controlled superiority trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Berkhof ◽  
E. C. D. van der Stouwe ◽  
B. Lestestuiver ◽  
E. van’t Hag ◽  
R. van Grunsven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Psychotic Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

Abstract Background Seventy per cent of patients with psychotic disorders has paranoid delusions. Paranoid delusions are associated with significant distress, hospital admission and social isolation. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) is the primary psychological treatment, but the median effect size is only small to medium. Virtual reality (VR) has a great potential to improve the effectiveness of CBTp. In a previous study, we found that VR based CBT (VRcbt) for paranoid delusions is superior to waiting list. As a next step, a direct comparison with CBTp is needed. The present study aims to investigate whether VRcbt is more effective and cost-effective than regular CBTp in treating paranoid delusions and improving daily life social functioning of patients with psychotic disorders. Methods A total of 106 patients with DSM-5 diagnosis of psychotic disorder and at least moderate level of paranoid ideations will be recruited for this multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT). Patients will be randomized to either VRcbt or standard CBTp for paranoid delusions. VRcbt consists of maximum 16 sessions in virtual social situations that trigger paranoid ideations and distress, delivered in an 8–12 week time frame. Standard CBTp also consists of maximum 16 sessions including exposure and behavioural experiments, delivered in an 8–12 week time frame. The two groups will be compared at baseline, post-treatment and six months follow-up. Primary outcome is the level of paranoid ideations in daily life social situations, measured with ecological momentary assessments (EMA) at semi-random moments ten times a day during seven days, before and after treatment. Every session, participants and therapists will rate the level of paranoid ideation and global clinical impression. Discussion Comparison of VRcbt and CBTp will provide information about the relative (cost-) effectiveness of VRcbt for this population. VRcbt may become a preferred psychological treatment for paranoid delusions and social anxiety in patients with psychotic disorder. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register, NL7758. Registered on 23 May 2019.

scholarly journals Using Virtual Reality for Long-Duration Space Missions

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 627-631
Author(s):  
Yash Joshi ◽  
Austin Mardon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Space Missions ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Literary Research ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

Many organizations around the world are pursuing space exploration with hopes of going further and further away from Earth. Spaceflight itself has significant implications on humans, meaning that it is important to understand the magnitude of effects that astronauts would feel during these missions. Some pressing concerns are the increased isolation due to social interactions as well as situational factors, which would lead to a decline in mental and physical health. Additionally, the possibility of substance abuse due to stress and access to medications can lead to significant reductions in mental health. To deal with these issues, virtual reality has presented itself as a unique solution that would help provide better overall mental health. The technology is frequently used in various clinical settings to deal with anxiety and depression, through techniques such as exposure therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. Exposure therapy for anxiety with virtual reality targets anxiety-causing stimulus and works towards changing the patient’s response, in a controlled setting. Cognitive behavioural therapy immerses the patient into a simulated world to provide them with experiences that mitigate the depression they are feeling. On the mission, exposure therapy would potentially be available to deal with stimulants of anxiety, while cognitive behavioural therapy would provide a happiness break. With further research in the field, virtual reality thus presents itself as a feasible opportunity to plan longer duration human space missions. This review compiles and investigates sources from literary research done in the respective fields.

scholarly journals Virtual reality exposure-based therapy as an emerging treatment modality for anxiety disorders

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenxuan Wang ◽  
Sean Wong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Treatment Modality ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition, affecting one-third of the population during their lifetime. Patient with anxiety may experience overwhelming fear to an irrational fear that can impair  everyday functioning. Current treatment for anxiety disorders include pharmacological (i.e. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and psychological (i.e. cognitive behavioural therapy) intervention. Cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective exposure-based therapy utilizing repetitive exposure to the feared stimulus to develop desensitization and tolerance but holds high dropout rates due to unbearable anxiety for patients. Recognizing this challenge, virtual reality technology is emerging as a promising tool for patients to challenge their fear in a simulated environment based on individual progression. This article explores the new development of virtual reality technology as an effective treatment modality for anxiety disorders to enhance current approaches in mental health care.

Cognitive behavioural therapy augmented with virtual reality exposure for treatment of social anxiety: A randomised clinical trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Arnfred ◽  
Peter Bang ◽  
Carsten Hjorthøj ◽  
Clas Winding ◽  
Kirsten Møller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Social Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Virtual Reality Exposure

Abstract Background Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) has high lifetime prevalence, early onset and long duration or chronicity. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has best evidence for treatment effect and planned exposure is considered one of the most effective elements of CBT in SAD. However, in vivo exposure can be difficult to access and control and is sometimes rejected by patients because they expect it to be too aversive. The use of virtual reality allows exposure to challenging situations in an immersive, but also protected, flexible and controlled environment. Methods The design is an investigator initiated randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel group and superiority designed clinical trial. 302 patients diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, will be included from two psychotherapeutic outpatient clinics at Mental Health Center Copenhagen. All patients will be offered a manual-based 14-week CBT group program, including eight sessions of exposure therapy. Patients will be randomised with concealed allocation sequence to CBT augmented with virtual reality exposure or CBT. Patients will be assessed at baseline, post treatment and at one-year follow-up by researchers blinded for treatment condition. The primary outcome will be social anxiety measured with Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Secondary outcome measures will be depression, social functioning, and patient satisfaction. Exploratory outcomes will be substance and alcohol use, working alliance and quality of life. Discussion The SO REAL trial will be the hitherto largest trial investigating the use of virtual reality as augmentation of CBT and the results may guide future clinical treatments. Trials registration The project was registered at clinicaltrials.gov on 02/19/2019 as NCT03845101. Can be found online at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03845101

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