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ABSTRACT: Background
People with a psychotic disorder commonly experience problems in social cognition and functioning. Social cognition training (SCT) improves social cognition, but may inadequately simulate real-life social interactions. Virtual reality (VR) provides a realistic, interactive, customizable, and controllable training environment, which could facilitate the application of skills in daily life.Objective
We developed a 16-session immersive VR SCT (Dynamic Interactive Social Cognition Training in Virtual Reality [DiSCoVR]) and conducted a single-group feasibility pilot study.Methods
A total of 22 people with a psychotic disorder and reported problems in social cognition participated. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed using a survey for participants and therapists, and by examining relevant parameters (eg, dropouts). We analyzed preliminary treatment effects on social cognition, neurocognition, and psychiatric symptoms.Results
A total of 17 participants completed the study. Participants enjoyed DiSCoVR (mean 7.25, SD 2.05; range 3-10), thought it was useful for daily social activities (mean 7.00, SD 2.05; range 3-10), and enjoyed the combination of VR and a therapist (mean 7.85, SD 2.11; range 3-10). The most frequently mentioned strength of DiSCoVR was the opportunity to practice with personalized social situations (14/20, 70%). A significant improvement of emotion perception was observed (Ekman 60 Faces; t16=-4.79, P<.001, d=-0.67), but no significant change was found in other measures of social cognition, neurocognition, psychiatric symptoms, or self-esteem.Conclusions
DiSCoVR was feasible and acceptable to participants and therapists, and may improve emotion perception.
SUBMITTER: Nijman SA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7442939 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Nijman Saskia Anne SA Veling Wim W Greaves-Lord Kirstin K Vos Maarten M Zandee Catharina Elizabeth Regina CER Aan Het Rot Marije M Geraets Chris Neeltje Wil CNW Pijnenborg Gerdina Hendrika Maria GHM
JMIR mental health 20200807 8
<h4>Background</h4>People with a psychotic disorder commonly experience problems in social cognition and functioning. Social cognition training (SCT) improves social cognition, but may inadequately simulate real-life social interactions. Virtual reality (VR) provides a realistic, interactive, customizable, and controllable training environment, which could facilitate the application of skills in daily life.<h4>Objective</h4>We developed a 16-session immersive VR SCT (Dynamic Interactive Social C ...[more]