Effects of virtual reality exposure therapy on anxiety symptoms and physiological measures among individuals experiencing claustrophobia

IF 1.2 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Pub Date : 2024-04-26 DOI:10.1002/capr.12765

Fuad El-Qirem, Malakeh Z. Malak, Hasan Abualruz, Suhaib Abuhazeem, Ahlam Amro

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Innovative technologies, including virtual reality (VR), can be used for conducting VR exposure therapy (VRET) for individuals with psychiatric disorders, including claustrophobia. Unfortunately, there is a lack of studies on the effect of VR in treating claustrophobia in Arab countries, including Jordan. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of VRET on minimising anxiety symptoms at 1 week post-therapy and the physiological arousal measures (heart rate, O₂ saturation and mean arterial pressure) of participants before and following therapy.

Methods

A pre-/post-test one-group design was used, and participants (N = 44) who suffered from claustrophobia from Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan were recruited. VRET was conducted using the Cave experience, which consists of four stages and was carried out in 4 to 6 sessions during the period from April to September 2023.

Results

The findings revealed a significant difference between pre- and post-VR simulation intervention for anxiety symptoms and physiological measures; in addition, the participants perceived the usability of VR therapy.

Conclusion

This study suggested that VRET was effective in managing claustrophobia, particularly in minimising anxiety symptoms. Therefore, VRET can be integrated into the therapeutic methods for individuals with claustrophobia. Also, healthcare professionals, including mental health counsellors, can adopt such therapy in their management and treatment plan.

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虚拟现实暴露疗法对幽闭恐惧症患者焦虑症状和生理指标的影响

导言：包括虚拟现实（VR）在内的创新技术可用于对包括幽闭恐惧症在内的精神疾病患者进行虚拟现实暴露疗法（VRET）。遗憾的是，在包括约旦在内的阿拉伯国家，缺乏有关虚拟现实治疗幽闭恐惧症效果的研究。因此，本研究旨在评估 VRET 在治疗后一周内对减轻焦虑症状的效果，以及治疗前和治疗后参与者的生理唤醒指标（心率、氧气饱和度和平均动脉压）。方法采用前/后测试的单组设计，从约旦 Al-Zaytoonah 大学招募患有幽闭恐惧症的参与者（N = 44）。在 2023 年 4 月至 9 月期间，采用洞穴体验法进行了 4 至 6 次 VRET，包括四个阶段。结果研究结果表明，在焦虑症状和生理指标方面，VR 模拟干预前后有显著差异；此外，参与者认为 VR 治疗可用。结论本研究表明，VRET 能有效控制幽闭恐惧症，尤其是在减少焦虑症状方面。因此，可将 VRET 纳入针对幽闭恐惧症患者的治疗方法中。此外，医护人员（包括心理健康辅导员）也可在其管理和治疗计划中采用这种疗法。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Counselling and Psychotherapy Research is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. CPR is a journal of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, promoting reflexive research strongly linked to practice. The journal has its own website: www.cprjournal.com. The aim of this site is to further develop links between counselling and psychotherapy research and practice by offering accessible information about both the specific contents of each issue of CPR, as well as wider developments in counselling and psychotherapy research. The aims are to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.