Wray Tyler B, Emery Noah N
Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Subst Use Misuse. 2022;57(9):1470-1477. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2092148. Epub 2022 Jun 25.
Research suggests that virtual reality (VR) experiences can be helpful as adjunctive tools in psychotherapy for some mental health conditions. VR is a computer-generated experience that produces a feeling of being immersed in a different environment. VR experiences could be useful in the treatment of substance use disorders, and several are currently being tested. However, few psychotherapists report using VR experiences in their practices, even when doing so is well-supported. Understanding key barriers and concerns about using VR among drug/alcohol counselors is important to ultimately encouraging adoption.
Licensed counselors ( = 101) who provide treatment to clients with substance use disorders were recruited via email Listservs, professional organizations, and social media. Participants viewed a 15-minute educational video about VR and then completed a survey of their views about using it with their clients.
Most clinicians (82%) believed they would be likely to use a VR experience in drug/alcohol counseling, and 81% believed it would be appropriate for most of their clients. A minority (19%) noted important concerns, including that their clients may be skeptical of it (15%), cost (14%), and space (10%). Those who had cost and space concerns were less likely to report high use intentions ( = 0.29 and = 031, both < .05, respectively).
Findings suggest that addictions counselors are eager to use VR, but key barriers should be addressed. VR developers should incorporate features to encourage trust among users, design experiences for small spaces, and explore ways of supporting the purchase of VR systems for counselors.
研究表明，虚拟现实（VR）体验作为辅助工具，在某些心理健康状况的心理治疗中可能会有所帮助。VR是一种计算机生成的体验，能让人产生置身于不同环境中的沉浸感。VR体验在物质使用障碍的治疗中可能会有用，目前有几种正在进行测试。然而，很少有心理治疗师报告在他们的实践中使用VR体验，即使这样做有充分的支持。了解药物/酒精咨询师在使用VR方面的关键障碍和担忧，对于最终鼓励采用VR至关重要。
通过电子邮件列表、专业组织和社交媒体招募了为物质使用障碍患者提供治疗的持牌咨询师（n = 101）。参与者观看了一段关于VR的15分钟教育视频，然后完成了一项关于与客户使用VR的观点调查。
大多数临床医生（82%）认为他们可能会在药物/酒精咨询中使用VR体验，81%认为这对他们的大多数客户来说是合适的。少数人（19%）指出了重要的担忧，包括他们的客户可能对此持怀疑态度（15%）、成本（14%）和空间（10%）。那些有成本和空间担忧的人报告高使用意图的可能性较小（β = 0.29和β = 0.31，均p <.05）。
研究结果表明，成瘾咨询师渴望使用VR，但关键障碍需要解决。VR开发者应纳入一些功能以鼓励用户之间的信任，为小空间设计体验，并探索支持为咨询师购买VR系统的方法。
