Comparison of the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Schema Therapy and Process-Oriented Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Managing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Individuals with Severe Physical Injuries

Objective: Individuals with severe physical injuries often face significant psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which complicate their recovery process. Recognizing the need for targeted interventions, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality-based schema therapy (VRST) and process-oriented cognitive behavioral therapy (PB-CBT) in managing PTSD among these individuals.Method: The study addressed a gap in the literature by focusing on the unique demands of a military and clinical population in a challenging recovery context. A quasi-experimental design with a pretest, a posttest, and a control group was employed. The statistical population consisted of patients visiting the Shafieieh Clinic in Zanjan, Iran. Sixty individuals diagnosed with PTSD (based on DSM-۵ criteria) were selected through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to three groups: ۲۰ participants received VRST, ۲۰ received PB-CBT, and ۲۰ formed a control group (waiting for treatment). Using a validated PTSD checklist,  pretest and posttest assessments were conducted, ensuring reliable measurement of symptom changes.Results: The findings indicated that both treatment groups demonstrated significant improvements in PTSD symptoms compared to the control group (p < ۰.۰۵); however, no statistically significant difference was observed between the VRST and PB-CBT groups (p>۰.۰۵).Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of employing innovative, technology-enhanced interventions in managing trauma-related disorders and provides a basis for further research to explore the nuances of these therapeutic models.

کلیدواژه ها:

Severe physical injuries ، post-traumatic stress disorder ، Virtual reality-based schema therapy ، Process-oriented cognitive behavioral therapy ، Health