Uso da realidade virtual na intervenção com ofensores : revisão sistemática da literatura

Abstract

Virtual reality therapy is based on therapeutic strategies and techniques in which patients are exposed or immersed, in a virtual environment, to situations that simulate reality in order to learn and train skills, for example, self-control. In this systematic review of the literature, we aimed to realize that therapies using virtual reality (VR) apply to treatment of offenders / prisoners / offenders. The protocol used for the analysis and writing of this review was PRISMA. The research was carried out in eight databases following the inclusion and exclusion criteria described in this study, namely the selection of existing studies from the year 2000 onwards. 1,385 results emerged from this research, 13 of which were analysed in this review for fulfilling all the criteria. Inclusion criteria. Regarding the results, mostly theoretical review articles (n = 4) addressing the uses of VR as therapy and therapeutic complement with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and the use of VR resources to assess the risk of abuse in sexual offenders are presented. After analysing these studies, the advantages of using this type of therapies with offenders were highlighted, when accompanied by CBT strategies, for example, the possibility of exposure and training of skills to be achieved, in a virtual, safe and controlled environment that simulates real situations. Without causing harm to yourself or others. As a result of these types of therapies, there is an increase in empathy, an increase in the capacity for insight, an improvement in their ability to understand the other's perspective, motivation and commitment to the therapeutic process, among others. The insufficiency of quantitative studies on the effectiveness of using VR as a therapy for offenders was notable, particularly in prison settings. Of the studies analysed, they also highlighted the advantages, disadvantages and suggestions of the authors regarding the study of this theme. Finally, we presented some considerations about the study and the literature found.

Date of Award	2020
Original language	Portuguese
Supervisor	Ana Rita Conde Dias (Supervisor) & Maria Teresa Soares Souto (Supervisor)