Daily-life stress reactivity and recovery following virtual-reality-based cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with a psychotic disorder

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1360165
• Publication Date: 2024-04-30T08:54:28Z
• Authors: Elisabeth C. D. v...; Sanne H. Booij; Chris N. W. Geraets; Roos M. C. A. Pot...; Anna Kuranova; Mark van der Gaag; Wim Veling
• Keywords: Reactivity

Studies have consistently demonstrated increased stress sensitivity in individuals with psychosis. Since may play a role the onset and maintenance of psychosis, this could potentially be promising target for treatment. The current study was first to investigate whether reactivity recovery from daily-life stressors psychosis change response treatment, namely virtual-reality-based cognitive behavioral therapy (VR-CBT). 116 patients were randomized either VR-CBT or waiting list control group (WL). Pre-treatment post-treatment participants completed diary ten times day during six days. Multilevel analyses used model time-lagged effects daily stressful events on negative affect (NA) paranoia symptoms examine recovery. There significant difference NA reactivity. showed higher at compared pre-treatment than WL (bpre=0.14; bpost=0.19 vs bpre=0.18; bpost=0.14). between groups lag 1: relatively lower (bpre=0.07; bpost=-0.06) (bpre= 0.08; bpost=-0.10) (bpre=0.08; bpost=0.08; bpre=0.04; bpost=0.03). Negative improved Increased explained by decrease safety behavior group. discrepancy findings inhibitory learning theory that suggests an original threat reaction not erase but can inhibited as consequence exposure therapy.