The Effect of Psychodrama and Virtual Reality-Supported Psychoeducation on Emotion Recognition Skills in Earthquake Survivors

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Psychoeducation, Psychodrama

In brief

This study examined the effects of psychodrama and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based virtual reality (VR)-supported psychoeducation on facial emotion recognition skills in earthquake survivors using an artificial intelligence-based Facial Emotion Recognition System. It was conducted using a pre-test-post-test randomized quasi-experimental design. The sample consisted of 32 adult earthquake survivors affected by the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes who were residing at the Temporary Accommodation Center. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: a psychodrama group (n=16) and a VR-supported psychoeducation group (n=16). The first experimental group received 13 psychodrama sessions, held once a week, while the second group received CBT-based psychoeducation consisting of 10 sessions held once a week, with VR content incorporated at the end of each session. A Personal Information Form, a Semi-Structured Interview Form, and the Facial Emotion Recognition System were used as data collection tools. Findings based on the Facial Emotion Recognition System revealed that VR-supported psychoeducation produced more pronounced changes in immediate emotional responses, increasing levels of happiness and neutral affect while reducing expressions of fear, sadness, and anger. In conclusion, the results from the Facial Emotion Recognition System indicate that VR-supported psychoeducation had significant positive effects on participants' immediate emotional responses, reducing negative emotions while increasing happiness and neutral affect. In contrast, the psychodrama intervention did not produce a significant change in the measured immediate emotional responses. These findings can contribute to the planning and development of post-disaster mental health services.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07754643

Run by

Inonu University

People needed

32

Starts

2024-02-01

Expected to finish

2025-04-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-08-10

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 60. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• The study included individuals aged 25 to 60 who possessed computeror technology skills,
• were open to communication and collaboration,
• had not previously participated in psychoeducation or psychodrama training, and whose homes sustained severe or moderate damage.

You may not qualify if…

• Individuals who were uncommunicative, had a psychiatric diagnosis according to hospital records,
• had vision or hearing problems, had epilepsy,
• had cancer, or were illiterate were excluded from the study.

Where it is running

• Inonu University Faculty of Nursing — Malatya, Battalgazi, Turkey (Türkiye)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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