Data_Sheet_1_VReedom: training for authorized leave of absence through virtual reality – a feasibility study.pdf

This study assessed the feasibility, implementation process and outcomes of the VReedom training; a virtual reality (VR)-based intervention designed to prepare forensic psychiatric patients for their first authorized leave. Clinical forensic mental healthcare organization Inforsa, operating at security level 3, introduced the VReedom training for forensic patients eligible for their first authorized leave, between March 1st and November 13th, 2022. Employing a retrospective observational cohort study design with patient dossier data as the primary source, the study also used participant observation, weekly evaluative questionnaires and focus group discussions as data sources. Five objectives were utilized to evaluate the feasibility: recruitment capacity and resulting sample characteristics, data collection and evaluation procedures, acceptability and suitability of the training and protocol, training management and implementation, and preliminary participant results. Despite the lack of a control group, findings align with literature suggesting VR’s potential for enhancing treatment motivation and reducing stress in preparation for first authorized leave. Of 13 patients approached, 10 participated without dropouts, and no incidents occurred during training. Emotion elicitation was successful, supporting VR Exposure therapy’s efficacy. Findings align with literature, emphasizing VR’s value in forensic psychiatry. Establishing favorable implementation conditions was crucial, with positive reception from treatment providers. Also, the need for personalization and additional locations was identified, and the training seemed most suitable for patients with a tbs-measure. Future research with control groups is recommended to further validate the effectiveness of the VReedom training intervention, and further protocol development is necessary to make it suitable for a broader population. Current findings contribute to the refinement and expansion of evidence-based practices in the field of VR-assisted training and treatment in forensic psychiatry.

本研究评估了VReedom训练的可行性、实施流程与实施效果。该训练是一项基于虚拟现实（Virtual Reality，VR）的干预方案，旨在帮助法医精神病患者为其首次获准休假做好准备。2022年3月1日至11月13日期间，三级安全级别的临床法医精神卫生保健机构Inforsa，为符合首次获准休假条件的法医精神病患者推出了VReedom训练。本研究采用回顾性观察队列研究设计，以患者档案数据为核心数据源，同时辅以参与式观察、每周评估问卷及焦点小组讨论作为补充数据采集方式。本研究设定五项评估目标以考察训练可行性：招募能力与最终样本特征、数据收集与评估流程、训练方案与实验规程的可接受性与适配性、训练管理与实施情况，以及受试者初步结局。尽管未设置对照组，本研究结果与现有文献结论一致，即虚拟现实技术在辅助患者为首次获准休假做准备的过程中，可有效提升治疗动机并缓解应激水平。在接洽的13名患者中，共有10名参与训练且无中途脱落情况，训练全程未发生任何不良事件。情绪唤起效果良好，验证了虚拟现实暴露疗法的临床有效性。本研究结果与现有文献共识相符，进一步凸显了虚拟现实技术在法医精神病学领域的应用价值。构建良好的实施条件至关重要，治疗服务方对该训练持有积极接纳态度。同时，研究发现该训练需实现个性化定制并增设实施场地，且其适配人群以完成tbs-measure的患者为佳。建议未来开展设置对照组的相关研究，以进一步验证VReedom训练干预的临床有效性；同时需进一步优化训练规程，使其可适配更广泛的患者群体。本研究结果有助于完善并拓展法医精神病学领域虚拟现实辅助训练与治疗的循证实践体系。