PhD Scientific Days 2020

Mental Sciences I. Lectures

Virtual Reality Based Targeted Theory of Mind Intervention for Clinically Stable Outpatients with Schizophrenia: Preliminary Results

Előadó neve

Vass, Edit

Előadó munkahelye

Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Előadó telefonszáma

+36303609164

Előadó e-mail címe

vass.edit@med.semmelweis-univ.hu

Az előadás címe

Virtual Reality Based Targeted Theory of Mind Intervention for Clinically Stable Outpatients with Schizophrenia: Preliminary Results

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Edit Vass1,Lajos Simon2
1 Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest
2 Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest

Szekció

Mental Sciences I. Lectures

Language of the presentation

Hungarian

Section, first choice

Mental Sciences

Section, second choice

Health Sciences

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction: based on the throughout literature review on the functional significance of Theory of Mind (ToM) deficits in schizophrenia, on the efficacy of the existing ToM interventions and on the feasibility of VR based interventions in schizophrenia, a new Virtual Reality (VR) based intervention has been developed by our research team at the Semmelweis University’s VR-Laboratory. The current lecture aims to present the preliminary results of the ongoing feasibility study of the mentioned intervention called VR-ToMIS (VR based ToM Intervention in Schizophrenia).
Aims: Evaluate the effects of VR-ToMIS on ToM- and communicative-pragmatic skills, symptomatology and social functioning.
Method: We conduct a randomized, controlled, single-blind trial with a three-month follow-up period to evaluate the effects of VR-ToMIS. 17 clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia have been randomized to the VR-ToMIS program (n: 9) for 9 weeks (1 session/week) or to the passive VR group (n: 8). All patients completed pre- and post-treatment assessments of neurocognitive functions, ToM, communicative-pragmatic skills and social functioning, and some of them have already completed the follow-up assessment as well. To avoid any side-effects safety measures were also administered after each session.
Results: VR-ToMIS group demonstrated a significant improvement on ToM assessment. Additionally, patients found the intervention useful, interesting and engaging. According to their relatives’ feedback reduced suspiciousness and increased willingness to participate in conversations,were also observed after the treatment.
Conclusion: Despite the obvious limitations (e.g. small sample size), our results encourage the utilization of modern technology in psychotherapies even in the case of psychotic disorders.

Additional Information

Supervisor: Lajos Simon
e-mail address: simon.lajos@med.semmelweis-univ.hu

Bemutatás módja

Szóbeli

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

szóbeli

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

nem rendelkezett róla

Előadó

4600

Start

10:25

End

10:40

Authors (legacy)

Edit Vass1,Lajos Simon2
1 Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest
2 Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest