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.
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.
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