{"title":"Virtual reality exposure therapy for chronic war-related posttraumatic stress disorder in Syrian refugee women: A mixed methods pilot study.","authors":"Timotaos Basmaji","doi":"10.1037/tra0002015","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of a culturally adapted virtual reality exposure therapy program for Syrian refugee women with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A mixed methods pilot study was conducted with eight Syrian refugee women (aged 25-60) in Lebanon. Participants completed a 13-session virtual reality exposure therapy intervention delivered in three phases: auditory triggers, audiovisual simulations, and immersive 360° war-related environments. PTSD symptoms were assessed pre and postintervention using the validated Arabic PTSD Checklist for <i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,</i> fifth edition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) supplemented by qualitative interviews.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants demonstrated a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms (mean PTSD Checklist for <i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</i>, fifth edition decrease: 30.75 points, <i>p</i> < .001, <i>d</i> = 2.89). Six out of eight participants achieved subclinical PTSD levels posttreatment. Symptom reductions persisted at 6-month follow-up (<i>p</i> < .001). Qualitative themes highlighted improved emotional regulation, reduced hypervigilance, and challenges with claustrophobia during immersion.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that virtual reality exposure therapy is a promising, scalable, and culturally sensitive intervention for trauma-exposed refugee populations. Future research with larger randomized trials is warranted to confirm efficacy and improve accessibility in humanitarian settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":20982,"journal":{"name":"Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0002015","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: This study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of a culturally adapted virtual reality exposure therapy program for Syrian refugee women with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Method: A mixed methods pilot study was conducted with eight Syrian refugee women (aged 25-60) in Lebanon. Participants completed a 13-session virtual reality exposure therapy intervention delivered in three phases: auditory triggers, audiovisual simulations, and immersive 360° war-related environments. PTSD symptoms were assessed pre and postintervention using the validated Arabic PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) supplemented by qualitative interviews.
Results: Participants demonstrated a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms (mean PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition decrease: 30.75 points, p < .001, d = 2.89). Six out of eight participants achieved subclinical PTSD levels posttreatment. Symptom reductions persisted at 6-month follow-up (p < .001). Qualitative themes highlighted improved emotional regulation, reduced hypervigilance, and challenges with claustrophobia during immersion.
Conclusions: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that virtual reality exposure therapy is a promising, scalable, and culturally sensitive intervention for trauma-exposed refugee populations. Future research with larger randomized trials is warranted to confirm efficacy and improve accessibility in humanitarian settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).
期刊介绍:
Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy publishes empirical research on the psychological effects of trauma. The journal is intended to be a forum for an interdisciplinary discussion on trauma, blending science, theory, practice, and policy.
The journal publishes empirical research on a wide range of trauma-related topics, including:
-Psychological treatments and effects
-Promotion of education about effects of and treatment for trauma
-Assessment and diagnosis of trauma
-Pathophysiology of trauma reactions
-Health services (delivery of services to trauma populations)
-Epidemiological studies and risk factor studies
-Neuroimaging studies
-Trauma and cultural competence