The Key to Unlocking the Virtual Body: Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Obesity and Eating Disorders

Abstract

Abbreviations: (CBT) cognitive behavioral therapy, (VR) virtual realityKeywords: body-image disturbances, eating disorders, experiential cognitive therapy, obesity, virtual reality AbstractObesity and eating disorders are usually considered unrelated problems with different causes. However, various studies identify unhealthful weight-control behaviors (fasting, vomiting, or laxative abuse), induced by a negative experience of the body, as the common antecedents of both obesity and eating disorders. But how might negative body image-common to most adolescents, not only to medical patients-be behind the development of obesity and eating disorders?In this paper, I review the "allocentric lock theory" of negative body image as the possible antecedent of both obesity and eating disorders.Evidence from psychology and neuroscience indicates that our bodily experience involves the integration of different sensory inputs within two different reference frames: egocentric (first-person experience) and allocentric (third-person experience). Even though functional relations between these two frames are usually limited, they influence each other during the interaction between long-and short-term memory processes in spatial cognition. If this process is impaired either through exogenous (e.g., stress) or endogenous causes, the egocentric sensory inputs are unable to update the contents of the stored allocentric representation of the body. In other words, these patients are locked in an allocentric (observer view) negative image of their body, which their sensory inputs are no longer able to update even after a demanding diet and a significant weight loss. This article discusses the possible role of virtual reality in addressing this problem within an integrated treatment approach based on the allocentric lock theory.

Clinical Virtual Reality tools to advance the prevention, assessment, and treatment of PTSD

“…This recognition of the potential impact of VR technology has led to the emergence of a significant, albeit still maturing, research literature that documents the many clinical and research targets where VR can add value relative to traditional assessment and intervention methods. A short list of the areas where Clinical VR has been usefully applied includes fear reduction in persons with specific phobias (Morina et al, 2015; Opris et al, 2012; Parsons & Rizzo, 2008; Powers & Emmelkamp, 2008), treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (Beidel, Frueh, Neer, & Lejuez, 2017; Botella et al, 2015; Difede & Hoffman, 2002; Difede et al, 2007, 2014; Maples-Keller et al, 2017; McLay et al, 2011; Rizzo et al, 2010, 2013, 2017; Rothbaum, Hodges, Ready, Graap, & Alarcon, 2001; Rothbaum et al, 2014), cue-exposure for addiction and relapse prevention (Hone-Blanchet, Wensing, & Fecteau, 2014; Yoon et al, 2014), depression (Falconer et al, 2016), paranoid delusions (Freeman et al, 2016), discomfort reduction in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (Schneider, Kisby, & Flint, 2010), acute pain reduction during wound care and physical therapy with burn patients (Hoffman et al, 2011), other painful procedures (Gold et al, 2006; Mosadeghi, Reid, Martinez, Rosen, & Spiegel, 2016), body image disturbances in patients with eating disorders (Riva, 2011), navigation and spatial training in children and adults with motor impairments (John, Pop, Day, Ritsos, & Headleand, 2017), functional skill training and motor rehabilitation in patients with central nervous system dysfunction (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, etc.)…”

Virtual Reality Technologies for Research and Education in Obesity and Diabetes: Research Needs and Opportunities

“…38 Virtual reality technology might prove a useful tool for producing sustainable behavior change to manage weight. However, with the exception of one laboratory's work on clinical eating disorders (anorexia, binge eating), 39 VR applications for common weight control factors such as food selection, portion control, and cued eating represent a nascent research area. More work has been done on VR as a modality to encourage physical activity for children and in the rehabilitation setting.…”

Virtual Environments for Children and Teens

“…Reviewing the literature, Riva concludes that virtual reality has been used to "induce an illusory perception" of various body parts, as well as improve body image in patients with obesity and eating disorders [38]. Merry et al [39] reports on an experiment using a VE system, SPARX, as a selfhelp intervention agent to decrease and alleviate depression among young people.…”