%0 Journal Article
%@ 2368-7959
%I JMIR Publications
%V 7
%N 8
%P e17808
%T Dynamic Interactive Social Cognition Training in Virtual Reality (DiSCoVR) for People With a Psychotic Disorder: Single-Group Feasibility and Acceptability Study
%A Nijman,Saskia Anne
%A Veling,Wim
%A Greaves-Lord,Kirstin
%A Vos,Maarten
%A Zandee,Catharina Elizabeth Regina
%A Aan het Rot,Marije
%A Geraets,Chris Neeltje Wil
%A Pijnenborg,Gerdina Hendrika Maria
%+ Department of Psychotic Disorders, GGZ Drenthe, Dennenweg 9, PO Box 30007, Assen, 9404LA, Netherlands, 31 592 4703, s.a.nijman@umcg.nl
%K social cognition
%K virtual reality
%K psychotic disorder
%K cognitive remediation therapy
%K emotion perception
%K theory of mind
%K social cognition training
%D 2020
%7 7.8.2020
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Ment Health
%G English
%X Background: People with a psychotic disorder commonly experience problems in social cognition and functioning. Social cognition training (SCT) improves social cognition, but may inadequately simulate real-life social interactions. Virtual reality (VR) provides a realistic, interactive, customizable, and controllable training environment, which could facilitate the application of skills in daily life. Objective: We developed a 16-session immersive VR SCT (Dynamic Interactive Social Cognition Training in Virtual Reality [DiSCoVR]) and conducted a single-group feasibility pilot study. Methods: A total of 22 people with a psychotic disorder and reported problems in social cognition participated. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed using a survey for participants and therapists, and by examining relevant parameters (eg, dropouts). We analyzed preliminary treatment effects on social cognition, neurocognition, and psychiatric symptoms. Results: A total of 17 participants completed the study. Participants enjoyed DiSCoVR (mean 7.25, SD 2.05; range 3-10), thought it was useful for daily social activities (mean 7.00, SD 2.05; range 3-10), and enjoyed the combination of VR and a therapist (mean 7.85, SD 2.11; range 3-10). The most frequently mentioned strength of DiSCoVR was the opportunity to practice with personalized social situations (14/20, 70%). A significant improvement of emotion perception was observed (Ekman 60 Faces; t16=–4.79, P<.001, d=–0.67), but no significant change was found in other measures of social cognition, neurocognition, psychiatric symptoms, or self-esteem. Conclusions: DiSCoVR was feasible and acceptable to participants and therapists, and may improve emotion perception. 
%M 32763880
%R 10.2196/17808
%U https://mental.jmir.org/2020/8/e17808
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/17808
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32763880