Feasibility of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in the Treatment of Danish Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Mixed Method Pilot Study
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Feasibility of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in the Treatment of Danish Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder : A Mixed Method Pilot Study . / Folke, Sofie; Roitmann, Nikolai; Poulsen, Stig Bernt; Andersen, Søren B.
I: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Bind 26, Nr. 9, 2023, s. 425-431.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Feasibility of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in the Treatment of Danish Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
T2 - A Mixed Method Pilot Study
AU - Folke, Sofie
AU - Roitmann, Nikolai
AU - Poulsen, Stig Bernt
AU - Andersen, Søren B.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - The BraveMind virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been developed and has shown efficacy for U.S. service members and veterans. As the first study to date, the present study examined the feasibility of BraveMind VRET for non-U.S. military veterans. Moreover, the study sought to explore in-depth the participants' experiences with BraveMind VRET. Nine Danish veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after deployment to Afghanistan participated in the study. PTSD, depression, and quality of life were assessed at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 3-month followup. The treatment consisted of 10 BraveMind VRET sessions. Semistructured interviews with treatment completers were conducted post-treatment to ascertain views about the treatment, in general, and the BraveMind VR system in particular. Thematic qualitative analysis was conducted at the semantic level using an inductive approach. There were significant reductions in pre- to post-treatment self-reported PTSD and significant improvements in quality of life. Treatment gains were maintained at 3-month followup. Pre- to post-treatment Cohen's d effect sizes were large for self-reported PTSD (PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version [PCL-C]: d = 1.55). Qualitative results indicated that the virtual environment of the BraveMind VR system does not entirely map the reality of Danish soldiers in Afghanistan. However, this was not experienced as a hindering factor in therapy. Findings indicate that BraveMind VRET is an acceptable, safe, and effective treatment for Danish veterans with PTSD. The qualitative results emphasize the importance of a strong therapeutic alliance, as VRET is experienced as more emotional straining than regular trauma-focused therapy.
AB - The BraveMind virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been developed and has shown efficacy for U.S. service members and veterans. As the first study to date, the present study examined the feasibility of BraveMind VRET for non-U.S. military veterans. Moreover, the study sought to explore in-depth the participants' experiences with BraveMind VRET. Nine Danish veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after deployment to Afghanistan participated in the study. PTSD, depression, and quality of life were assessed at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 3-month followup. The treatment consisted of 10 BraveMind VRET sessions. Semistructured interviews with treatment completers were conducted post-treatment to ascertain views about the treatment, in general, and the BraveMind VR system in particular. Thematic qualitative analysis was conducted at the semantic level using an inductive approach. There were significant reductions in pre- to post-treatment self-reported PTSD and significant improvements in quality of life. Treatment gains were maintained at 3-month followup. Pre- to post-treatment Cohen's d effect sizes were large for self-reported PTSD (PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version [PCL-C]: d = 1.55). Qualitative results indicated that the virtual environment of the BraveMind VR system does not entirely map the reality of Danish soldiers in Afghanistan. However, this was not experienced as a hindering factor in therapy. Findings indicate that BraveMind VRET is an acceptable, safe, and effective treatment for Danish veterans with PTSD. The qualitative results emphasize the importance of a strong therapeutic alliance, as VRET is experienced as more emotional straining than regular trauma-focused therapy.
U2 - 10.1089/cyber.2022.0236
DO - 10.1089/cyber.2022.0236
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 37307409
VL - 26
SP - 425
EP - 431
JO - Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
JF - Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
SN - 2152-2715
IS - 9
ER -
ID: 381511137