The efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy in reducing PTSD symptoms among patients who are traumatized due to Beirut explosion

Abstract

Traumatic incidents have the potential to impact individuals both mentally and physically. Numerous research investigations have demonstrated the potential efficacy of Virtual Reality exposure therapy in alleviating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). The primary aim of this research is to comprehend how VR exposure therapy influences the reduction of PTSD severity among patients who experienced Beirut Port Explosion on August 4, 2020. This was achieved by measuring the sample's severity of PTSD symptoms using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 past month version (CAPS-5) pre and post VR exposure therapy. The sample was chosen from a center located in Beirut. The sample consisted of two groups; experimental group and control group. The experimental group consisted of 10 patients, while the control group consisted of 4 patients. The findings revealed a significant alteration in the severity of PTSD symptoms within the experimental group following the implementation of VRET intervention, in contrast to a negligible change in the severity of PTSD symptoms observed in the control group, which did not undergo VRET intervention.