Proof of Concept of an Eclectic, Integrative Therapeutic Approach to Mental Health and Well-Being Through Virtual Reality Technology

Copyright © 2020 Frewen, Mistry, Zhu, Kielt, Wekerle, Lanius and Jetly..

Across three studies, we provide a proof-of-concept evaluation of an integrative psychotherapeutic application of virtual reality (VR) technology. Study 1 (n = 36) evaluated an unguided "safe-place" imagery task, where participants were instructed "to create a safe space… [such as] a scene, item, design, or any visual representation that makes you feel safe" using either the Google Tilt Brush application (VR condition), the standard Microsoft Paint application (2-D condition), or via eyes-closed mental imagery alone (IMG condition). Study 2 (n = 48) evaluated a narrative episodic recall task, where participants viewed their childhood and adult homes and places of schooling either using either the Google Earth VR application (VR condition) or the standard Google Earth application (2-D condition) or recalled these places with their eyes closed via mental imagery alone (IMG condition). Finally, Study 3 (n = 48) evaluated a guided wilderness imagery task, during which different scripts were narrated, specifically, a trail walk in autumn, a spring meadow, and a hillside walk in snowy winter, while either these same scenes were visually presented using the Nature Treks VR application (VR condition), the scenes were presented using the same software but shown on standard computer monitor (2-D condition), or participants' eyes were closed (IMG condition). Order of intervention format was randomized across participants. Across all three studies, quantitative survey ratings showed that the VR format of intervention delivery produced greater positive affect and satisfaction and perceived credibility ratings as an intervention for trauma- and stressor-related disorders and psychological well-being as rated by university students who varied in traumatic and stressful life event history and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, whereas qualitative findings revealed additional themes of experiential response including increased experience of presence and vividness in the VR condition. Future research directions and clinical applications are discussed.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:11

Enthalten in:

Frontiers in psychology - 11(2020) vom: 06., Seite 858

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Frewen, Paul [VerfasserIn]
Mistry, Divya [VerfasserIn]
Zhu, Jenney [VerfasserIn]
Kielt, Talia [VerfasserIn]
Wekerle, Christine [VerfasserIn]
Lanius, Ruth A [VerfasserIn]
Jetly, Rakesh [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Dissociative experiences
Integrative psychotherapy
Journal Article
Positive affect (PA)
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Virtual reality
Wellbeing

Anmerkungen:

Date Revised 28.09.2020

published: Electronic-eCollection

Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE

doi:

10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00858

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM311602738