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Título del libro: Technology, Rehabilitation And Empowerment Of People With Special Needs
Título del capítulo: Virtual reality exposure for trauma and stress-related disorders for city violence crime victims

Autores UNAM:
MARIA GEORGINA CARDENAS LOPEZ; ANABEL DE LA ROSA GOMEZ;
Autores externos:

Idioma:
Inglés
Año de publicación:
2015
Resumen:

Criminal violence is associated with mental health problems such as depression, substance use and abuse. However, one of most important psychological problems linked with the victims of violence is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD). In Mexico, according to the ICESI in 2012, 11% of the population (and 6,800 for each 100,000 inhabitants) over 18 years experienced a crime. One in four of those victims of violence develop PTSD symptoms. Due to this socially relevant problem and based on the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) treatments, it is important to design treatments involving the use of VR because it can help overcome some of the limitations of traditional therapy using exposure. The present study shows preliminary results of efficacy of virtual reality treatment for PTSD and ASD for violent crime. The clinical sample was comprised of 9 participants from city of Mexico, 6 participants with PTSD diagnoses and 3 participants with ASD diagnoses, aged between 18 and 65. Allparticipants gave informed consent to participate. Treatment was delivered in 90 minute individual sessions conducted once a week. Three virtual scenarios for PTSD exposure treatment were used. Improvement was seen in measures of stress, anxiety and depression in both treatment groups, which confirms the clinical efficacy for this technique to treat stress-related disorders. © 2015 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.


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