Scientific and methodological foundations of using VR-practices in rehabilitation psychology

The increasing number of individuals affected by military actions in Ukraine has intensified the need for scientifically grounded digital tools in psychological rehabilitation. The rapid development of immersive technologies necessitates the methodological systematisation of their application in rehabilitation psychology. The aim of the study was to substantiate and develop a comprehensive methodology for the application of virtual reality (VR) technologies in rehabilitation psychology, including the systematisation of therapeutic scenarios, the design of an intervention model, and the creation of an algorithm for scenario selection. The research methodology was based on an interdisciplinary theoretical analysis integrating cognitive-behavioural therapy, trauma-focused psychotherapy, neuropsychology, and immersive digital technologies. Methods of analysis, synthesis, structural-functional modelling, and systematisation were applied to construct a three-stage intervention model and to design standardised practical protocols. It was established that immersive environments allow controlled exposure to traumatic stimuli while maintaining psychological safety and therapeutic flexibility. A functional classification of twenty therapeutic scenarios was developed according to their roles in exposure, stabilisation, integration, mindfulness training, and cognitive restoration. A three-stage model of interventions (exposure-stabilisation-integration) was substantiated, ensuring sequential therapeutic influence and minimising the risk of retraumatisation. A step-by-step algorithm for selecting optimal scenarios was designed based on the client’s psycho-emotional state, therapeutic goals, and identified triggers. Standardised session protocols were structured, including preparatory, main, and integrative phases with defined duration parameters and safety criteria. The practical value of the results lies in their applicability for rehabilitation psychologists, clinical practitioners, and higher education institutions training specialists in psychological rehabilitation, particularly in work with veterans, internally displaced persons, and other trauma-affected populations