Virtual Reality Externalization (VR-E) for Patients With Eating Disorders: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Eating disorders (EDs) are often perceived as integral to a patient's identity, a phenomenon known as ego-syntonicity.
• Ego-syntonicity in EDs is linked to reduced treatment motivation and higher dropout rates.
• Externalization techniques aim to help individuals differentiate themselves from their disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acceptability and feasibility of a novel virtual reality (VR) externalization exercise for individuals with EDs.
• To assess the effects of the VR exercise on self-ED overlap and general self-efficacy.
• To evaluate the VR intervention's potential for individuals with anorexia nervosa and other ED diagnoses.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-one inpatients with EDs participated in a VR exercise where a virtual object represented their ED.
• Participants manipulated the virtual object (e.g., size, color, cutting) using VR controllers.
• Self-ED overlap and self-efficacy were measured before and after the VR intervention.

Main Results:

• The VR exercise was rated positively by patients.
• A significant decrease in self-ED overlap was observed post-intervention (Cohen's d = 0.46).
• General self-efficacy significantly increased following the VR exercise (Cohen's d = -0.22).

Conclusions:

• The developed VR procedure is feasible and potentially effective for externalizing EDs.
• This VR intervention shows promise for improving treatment engagement by reducing ego-syntonicity.
• Further controlled studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy of VR for ED treatment.