Lopez et al. [43] performed a pilot study comparing group cohesion between patients who participated in a DBT skills training group via Video Teleconferencing (VTC) and an in-person DBT group. The primary diagnosis of the patients was depression but patients with bipolar and anxiety disorders were also included. Results show that the relationship with the facilitator and the feeling of their learning capacity did not differ between the two groups. There was a significant difference on the relation to member interaction and group cohesion between the two groups (Table 1). The VTC group found it harder to connect with each other in the virtual environment. Compared to the in-person DBT group, the VTC group had a significant better attendance although they reported that attending the group via telehealth would not have been their first choice. Treatment via VTC was preferable to no treatment at all.
Skills Training Manual For Treating Borderline Personality Disorder Marsha M. Linehan.epub
There are three studies concerning the clinical utility of virtual reality. First, Navarro-Haro et al. [83] investigated the clinical utility of virtual reality (VR) by using immersive VR to facilitate mindfulness skills training in DBT, as described above. They wrote a case study of a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with BPD and substance use disorder who received standard DBT. Key measurements were administered before and after each VR DBT mindfulness skills training session and results showed that urges to commit suicide, self-harm, quit therapy, use substances and negative emotions measured by the diary card were all reduced after each VR mindfulness session.
Gomez et al. [84] used the VR DBT mindfulness skills training in a case study of a 21-year-old male with severe skin burn covering one third of his body. The primary assessment consisted of measurements of post-traumatic stress disorder, mindfulness acceptance and positive and negative emotions before and after each VR DBT skills training. Results show that the patient accepted the VR DBT and wanted to continue using mindfulness. There was a small reduction in PTSD symptoms after four VR DBT sessions and the reduction in negative emotions was most pronounced after the first VR DBT session but decreased even more the second time and stayed near zero the third and fourth time. Positive emotions were very high after the VR DBT sessions. The same virtual reality enhanced DBT mindfulness skills training was used by Flores et al. [85]. They describe a case study investigating the feasibility of the virtual reality enhanced DBT (VR DBT) mindfulness skills training for two patients with spinal cord injury. The primary assessment consisted of measurements of depression, anxiety and positive and negative emotions before and after each VR DBT skills training. Results showed that patients not only accepted VR as part of their treatment, but also liked using it. Both patients showed a reduction in ratings of depression, nervousness/anxiety and reported being less emotionally upset after the VR DBT skills training. Patient 1 showed also a reduction of negative emotions, where the negative emotions of patient 2 increased directly after the VR DBT mindfulness skills session. 2ff7e9595c
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