A Real Environment Based Virtual Reality Psychosocial Treatment May Help Patients with Schizophrenia to Increase Social Functioning: A Preliminary Study.

Abstract

disorders. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of the VR Psychosocial Treatment Program (PTP) on psychosocial functioning and symptoms in people with schizophrenia.

Method: Seven schizophrenia patients who have been admitted to the Schizophrenia Outpatient Unit of Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine and met the diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-V diagnostic criteria were included in the study. Psychosocial functionality level was assessed by PSP (Personal and Social Performance Scale), positive and negative symptom severity with PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), and social skills with SSC (Social Skills Checklist). VRPTP was continued for a total of 10 sessions and twice a week during five weeks. In this study, a real-environment-based VR-PTP for schizophrenia patients was developed. In the sessions, there were different realenvironment- based VR contents including social interaction components such as cafe, market, bazaar, public transportation.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the PSP scores before and after the VR application (p=0.018). None of the patients reported motion sickness during VR sessions due to the immersive nature of VR. There was no significant difference between pre and post VR PANSS total and subscale scores.

Conclusion: In this preliminary study, we discovered that realenvironment- based VR-PTP is effective for improving the social skills of patients with schizophrenia. Cognitive enhancement programs and psychosocial functionality therapies may be carried out using virtual reality in the near future. VR can assist patients in coping with their symptoms and day-to-day challenges.