scholarly journals Development of a Wearable Biocueing Application (Sense-IT) among Forensic Psychiatric Outpatients with Aggressive Behavior: Design and Evaluation Study (Preprint)

10.2196/29267 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemieke ter Harmsel ◽  
Thimo van der Pol ◽  
Lise Swinkels ◽  
Anneke Goudriaan ◽  
Arne Popma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Psychiatric Outpatients ◽  
Behavior Design ◽  
Forensic Psychiatric

Development of a Wearable Biocueing Application (Sense-IT) among Forensic Psychiatric Outpatients with Aggressive Behavior: Design and Evaluation Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemieke ter Harmsel ◽  
Thimo van der Pol ◽  
Lise Swinkels ◽  
Anneke Goudriaan ◽  
Arne Popma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Outpatient Care ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Forensic Psychiatric ◽  
It Application

BACKGROUND The ability to regulate anger is often impaired in forensic psychiatric patients, frequently resulting in aggressive behavior. Although some treatment programs are partially successful in enhancing aggression regulation and reducing recidivism among specific subgroups, generalizable conclusions on the effectiveness of these interventions cannot be drawn to date. In forensic outpatient care, low treatment adherence and the predominant focus on cognitive control in most treatment programs may entail some of the factors impeding treatment. Technology-based interventions may address some of these treatment challenges. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore whether a new technology-based biocueing intervention, the Sense-IT application, could be a valuable addition to aggression regulation treatment programs in forensic outpatient care. The Sense-IT application, providing the user with real-time physiological feedback and behavioral support, was developed to strengthen emotional awareness and facilitate real life practice. In this study, a new version of the Sense-IT, suitable for forensic outpatients with aggressive behavior, was developed and evaluated. METHODS First, a design study was conducted to assess the attitude of forensic professionals and patients towards biocueing, and to collect requirements for a biocueing application in this specific population. Based on this information, a new version of the Sense-IT application was developed. In an evaluation study, 10 forensic outpatients used the application during two weeks. Acceptability, usability and clinical outcomes (aggression, anger and recognition of bodily signals related to anger) were measured pre- and post-intervention, using both quantitative and qualitative measures. RESULTS The design study revealed a cautiously positive attitude towards the use of biocueing as an addition to aggression regulation therapy. The evaluation study among forensic outpatients demonstrated moderate acceptability and adequate usability of the new version of the Sense-IT. Exploratory analysis revealed a significant decrease in trait aggression post-intervention; no significant changes were found on other anger related clinical outcomes. To further increase acceptability and usability, a stable functioning application with self-adjustable settings, the use of smartwatches with a longer battery life and the use of patient’s own smartphone devices were recommended. CONCLUSIONS This study, which is one of the first attempts to enroll and evaluate the real-life use of a biocueing intervention among forensic outpatients, emphasized the importance of involving both patients and therapists throughout the development and implementation process. In the future, experimental studies, including single case experimental designs using ecological momentary assessment, should be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Sense-IT intervention on clinical outcomes. An open attitude towards new technology, allowing exploration of the potential benefits of the Sense-IT case-by-case, and training of therapists in using the application, are expected to facilitate integration in therapy. CLINICALTRIAL The evaluation study was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NL8206).

Lack of correspondence between the reactive proactive questionnaire and the impulsive premeditated aggression scale among forensic psychiatric outpatients

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danique Smeijers ◽  
Suzanne Brugman ◽  
Katinka von Borries ◽  
Robbert-Jan Verkes ◽  
Erik Bulten
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Outpatients ◽  
Forensic Psychiatric

scholarly journals Testing the Effects of a Virtual Reality Game for Aggressive Impulse Management: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial among Forensic Psychiatric Outpatients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1484
Author(s):  
Danique Smeijers ◽  
Erik H. Bulten ◽  
Robbert-Jan Verkes ◽  
Sander L. Koole
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Psychiatric Outpatients ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Aggression Replacement Training ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Forensic Psychiatric

Prior laboratory experiments among healthy samples found that training avoidance movements to angry faces may lower anger and aggression, especially people high in trait anger. To enrich this training and make it more suitable for clinical applications, the present researchers developed it into a Virtual Reality Game for Aggressive Impulse Management (VR-GAIME). The current study examined the effects of this training in a randomized controlled trial among forensic psychiatric outpatients with aggression regulation problems (N = 30). In addition to the aggression replacement training, patients played either the VR-GAIME or a control game. Aggressive behavior was measured pre-, half-way, and post-treatment via self-report and clinicians ratings. No difference was found between the VR-GAIME and the control game. However, the participants reported gaining more insight into their own behavior and that of others. Future VR intervention tools in clinical settings may capitalize more on their benefits for self-reflection within interpersonal settings.

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