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The effects of mindfulness-based training in virtual reality on psychotic symptoms, mood and cognitive functioning – a pilot study
 
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1
Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum, Wydział Lekarski, Katedra Psychiatrii, Ośrodek Psychiatrii Środowiskowej i Badań nad Psychozami
 
2
Krakowska Akademia im Andrzeja Frycza Modrzewskiego, Wydział Psychologii, Pedagogiki i Nauk Humanistycznych
 
3
Stowarzyszenie na rzecz Rozwoju Psychiatrii i Opieki Środowiskowej, Pracownia Badań nad Schizofrenią
 
4
Uniwersytet Jana Pawła II, Wydział Nauk Społecznych
 
5
Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum, Wydział Lekarski, Katedra Psychiatrii, Zakład Zaburzeń Afektywnych
 
 
Submission date: 2022-08-12
 
 
Acceptance date: 2022-09-13
 
 
Online publication date: 2022-11-17
 
 
Publication date: 2022-11-17
 
 
Corresponding author
Marcin Siwek   

Zakład Zaburzeń Afektywnych, Katedra Psychiatrii UJ CM
 
 
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
Virtual reality (VR) is growing in popularity in treating various psychiatric disorders, including psychotic ones. However, no studies have been published on mindfulness interventions aided by virtual reality in psychotic patients to date.

Methods:
25 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were assessed at three time points with 4-week intervals using the six-item Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS–6), Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III). Additionally, the intensity of seven emotions was rated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after each training session.

Results:
The subjects achieved a significant reduction in symptom severity after completing mindfulness training. This was reflected by the PANSS-6 total score, as well as by the subscales for negative and positive symptoms. A significant increase in cognitive functioning (ACE-III scores) was also found. No significant changes in these measures were observed when only the standard intervention was used.

Conclusions:
Our study indicates good feasibility of the developed mindfulness intervention in VR in schizophrenic patients. The results indicate potential benefits in terms of lessening of the symptoms and improvement in cognition.

eISSN:2391-5854
ISSN:0033-2674
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