TY  - JOUR
AU  - Zehetmair, Catharina
AU  - Nagy, Ede
AU  - Leetz, Carla
AU  - Cranz, Anna
AU  - Kindermann, David
AU  - Reddemann, Luise
AU  - Nikendei, Christoph
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/9/23
TI  - Self-Practice of Stabilizing and Guided Imagery Techniques for Traumatized Refugees via Digital Audio Files: Qualitative Study
JO  - J Med Internet Res
SP  - e17906
VL  - 22
IS  - 9
KW  - stabilizing techniques
KW  - guided imagery
KW  - refugees
KW  - qualitative analyses
KW  - posttraumatic stress disorder
KW  - mental health
KW  - PTSD
KW  - audio
KW  - therapy
AB  - Background: Refugees have an increased risk of developing mental health problems. There are insufficient psychosocial care structures to meet the resulting need for support. Stabilizing and guided imagery techniques have shown promising results in increasing traumatized refugees’ emotional stabilization. If delivered via audio files, the techniques can be practiced autonomously and independent of time, space, and human resources or stable treatment settings. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the self-practice of stabilizing and guided imagery techniques via digital audio files for traumatized refugees living in a reception and registration center in Germany. Methods: From May 2018 to February 2019, 42 traumatized refugees participated in our study. At T1, patients received digital audio files in English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, or Serbian for self-practice. Nine days later, at T2, a face-to-face interview was conducted. Two months after T2, a follow-up interview took place via telephone. Results: At T2, about half of the patients reported the daily practice of stabilizing and guided imagery techniques. At follow-up, the average frequency of practice was once weekly or more for those experiencing worse symptoms. No technical difficulties were reported. According to T2 and follow-up statements, the techniques helped the patients dealing with arousal, concentration, sleep, mood, thoughts, empowerment, and tension. The guided imagery technique “The Inner Safe Place” was the most popular. Self-practice was impeded by postmigratory distress factors, like overcrowded accommodations. Conclusions: The results show that self-practice of stabilizing and guided imagery techniques via digital audio files was helpful to and well accepted by the assessed refugees. Even though postmigratory distress factors hampered self-practice, “The Inner Safe Place” technique was particularly well received. Overall, the self-practiced audio-based stabilizing and guided imagery techniques showed promising results among the highly vulnerable group of newly arrived traumatized refugees. 
SN  - 1438-8871
UR  - http://www.jmir.org/2020/9/e17906/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/17906
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32965229
DO  - 10.2196/17906
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/17906
ER  -