Paranoid Behaviour and Threat Evaluation in Asylumseekers with Psychotic Disorder and Paranoid Delusions Using Virtual Reality

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how asylumseekers with psychotic disorders who experience paranoid delusions behave and assess threats in a virtual reality (VR) setting. This study addresses challenges in diagnosing this group due to language and cultural differences, using VR's real-time, partially non-verbal approach to better understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The research combines both qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a deeper insight into these experiences. Participants will wear a head-mounted VR display and engage in four different scenarios, each lasting three to four minutes, where they walk around and observe their virtual surroundings. The study collects detailed interviews about their experiences and uses questionnaires to gather additional symptom and demographic data. Psychiatrists specializing in transcultural psychiatry will also analyze video and audio recordings from the VR sessions to evaluate paranoid behavior. The study involves about 90 minutes of assessment, including a semi-structured interview that takes approximately 2.5 hours to collect qualitative data. Participants may complete symptom questionnaires and be monitored closely for any discomfort, such as simulator sickness. No major adverse effects are expected. The goal is to understand behaviors and threat evaluation in this specific population while ensuring participants' well-being through transparent consent and empathetic support.

Asylumseekers Experiencing Paranoid Delusions: A Virtual Reality Study