Metaverse in Mental Health: The Beginning of a Long History

Current Psychiatry Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(6), P. 294 - 303

Published: April 11, 2024

Abstract Purpose of Review We review the first pilot studies applying metaverse-related technologies in psychiatric patients and discuss rationale for using this complex federation to treat mental diseases. Concerning previous virtual-reality applications medical care, metaverse provide unique opportunity define, control, shape virtual scenarios shared by multi-users exploit “synchronized brains” potential exacerbated social interactions. Recent Findings The application an avatar-based sexual therapy program conducted on a platform has been demonstrated be more effective concerning traditional coaching treating female orgasm disorders. Again, metaverse-based skills training tested children with autism spectrum disorders, demonstrating significant impact interaction abilities. Summary Metaverse-related could enable us develop new reliable approaches diseases where behavioral symptoms can addressed socio-attentive tasks social-interaction strategies.

Language: Английский

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Unlocking the potential of virtual reality to expand treatment frontiers for bulimia nervosa: a pilot study to explore the impact of virtual reality-enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy

Virtual Reality, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 28(2)

Published: March 18, 2024

Abstract The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy a Virtual Reality (VR) intervention when compared an integrated multimodal medically managed Inpatient Program (IP) in cohort 24 female patients diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa (BN). Psychological measures (i.e., EDI-2) were assessed at three points: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 1-month follow-up. Behavioral BMI) evaluated 6 different time points, instead 3, 6, 9, 12 months from discharge date). VR treatment was more effective improving EDI subscales EDI-DT drive for thinness) EDI-BU binging-purging behaviors). In particular, condition showed reduced score follow-up post-test comparison pre-test, as well lower pre-test. Conversely, no significant changes noted IP group either subscale. Regarding behavioral measures, undergoing reported maintenance BMI long term IP. Specifically, decreased pre- post-test, pre-test 12-month group, improved However, relapse pattern observed during period, increase 9-month follow-up, 3 decrease between 9 conclusion, these results suggest that integrating into care individuals BN could enhance both immediate sustained outcomes. This may offer valuable insights future studies expand delve deeper field EDs.

Language: Английский

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Self /other recognition and distinction in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: A pilot study using a double mirror paradigm

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(1), P. e0309548 - e0309548

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

Background Abnormalities in body perception patients affected by anorexia nervosa have been widely studied, but without explicit reference to their relationship others and the social processes involved. Yet, there are a several arguments supporting impairments interpersonal relationships these patients. Notably, some evidence suggests that self/other distinction (SOD), ability distinguish one’s own body, actions mental representations from those of could be impaired. But research remains scarce this area. Material methods A single-centre, prospective pilot study was conducted investigate, for first time, self-recognition SOD seven adolescents with compared matched healthy controls (HCs) using "Alter Ego"TM double mirror paradigm. This innovative device allows progressive morphing face another vice versa between two subjects interact on opposite sides device. Two judgement criteria were used: 1) M1: threshold at which start recognize during other-to-self morphing, 2) M2: other’s self-to-other morphing. In second part, reassessed five different sensorimotor tasks aimed increasing self-consciousness participants nervosa. Results The results showed exhibited earlier sequence delayed other-recognition sequence. Furthermore, contrast HCs, critical switching self other varied direction participants. Finally, when seated chair backrest footrest strengthening median axis (M1) increased significantly, approaching controls. Conclusions Although additional is needed replicate study, it revealed behavioural altered individuals through an embodied, semiecological face-recognition anomalies alterations discussed within integrative framework phenomenology neuroscience, new therapeutic perspectives presented.

Language: Английский

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Relating proprioceptive embodiment to body dissatisfaction in anorexia and bulimia patients: effect of visual body images

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 12, 2025

Abstract Eating disorders (ED) are associated with a maladaptive body schema and several cognitive biases. This pilot study aimed to investigate the effect of visual stimulation by images on dissatisfaction in patients ED. The rubber hand illusion (RHI) was applied sample 33 women anorexia or bulimia nervosa 27 control subjects. RHI administered novel way using standard-sized that had been distorted appearance (perceived as unsatisfactory), it used before after an ad hoc priming (exposure thin-body media images). In accordance schema, ED exhibited higher scores Body Shape Perception Questionnaires (with positive correlation between scores) there significant increase for all items location-proprioception agency domains. However, effect, showed significantly lower proprioceptive drift during condition regression analysis demonstrated association reduced (recording similar embodiment index healthy subjects) improved dissatisfaction. Following increased, no ANOVA interaction recorded. is characterised both proprioception high interoceptive awareness. perceived unsatisfactory play role preserving consequently reducing Conversely, exposure ideal involved schema.

Language: Английский

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Dissociations between bodily self-awareness components in women with Anorexia Nervosa

Translational Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 29, 2025

The awareness of our body arises from the convergence between physical (e.g., autonomic signals, perception in space) and mental subjective sensations) components. divergence these components could characterise bodily self-awareness distortions that are typical some neuropsychiatric syndromes, such as Anorexia Nervosa. We investigated this hypothesis by testing 22 women with restrictive-type AN a matched sample healthy multisensory integration paradigm. Participants underwent Mirror Box Illusion, which we explored three different (typically convergent) elements self-awareness: (i) experiences embodiment, (ii) hand localisation, (iii) skin temperature change associated manipulation. In people AN, found an altered orchestration changes, explicit sensations embodiment proprioceptive bias. These were modulated differently experimental condition compared to controls. findings suggest targeted interventions restore might be beneficial treating self AN.

Language: Английский

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Harnessing Immersive Virtual Reality: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of its Applications in Assessing, Understanding, and Treating Eating Disorders

Current Psychiatry Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(9), P. 470 - 486

Published: July 31, 2024

Abstract Background Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) has shown promise in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of eating disorders (EDs), providing a dynamic platform for clinical innovation. This scoping review aims to synthesize recent advancements applications IVR addressing these complex psychological disorders. Methods followed Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews Meta-analysis Protocols, focusing on studies published past five years. It included peer-reviewed papers that used ED examination, or treatment. A comprehensive database search provided selection relevant articles, which were then methodically screened analyzed. Results Twenty met inclusion criteria, with primary focus Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED). The application was categorized into three areas: found be an effective tool assessing body image distortions emotional responses food, insights are less accessible through traditional methods. Furthermore, offers innovative approaches by facilitating exposure therapy, modifying body-related biases, enabling regulation embodied experiences. demonstrate IVR’s potential improve accuracy, reduce food-related anxieties, support behavioral changes patients. Conclusion stands out as transformative technology field EDs, offering benefits across diagnostic, therapeutic, experiential domains. ability simulate brain’s predictive coding mechanisms provides powerful avenue delivering embodied, interventions can help recalibrate distorted representations dysfunctional affective models implicated EDs. Future research should continue refine applications, ensuring consistent methodologies wider trials fully harness settings.

Language: Английский

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Disturbances in Body-Based Mental and Motor Imagery in Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa – A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Imagining one’s body is crucial for how we perceive our appearance (i.e. imagining might appear to others), movement (motor imagery), navigation, and self-recognition. Mental representations can be categorized into a perceptual component, known as the image, an action-related referred schema. A disturbed involving altered perceptions attitudes towards appearance, diagnostic feature of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) Bulimia (BN). The review identifies experimental paradigms used measure body-based mental motor imagery in individuals with AN BN, investigating representation beyond size shape distortions compared healthy controls. Three databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase) were searched, 19 articles included. Four characteristics found distorted BN: body-scaling, imagined action, rotation, spatial reference frame processing. Fourteen tasks identified assess these imagery. This highlights that BN extend conscious include unconscious action planning. Future research should examine sustains psychopathology BN.

Language: Английский

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Distorted body representation in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa

Acta Psychologica, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 254, P. 104830 - 104830

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

Language: Английский

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Advancing virtual reality interventions for sexuality and related emotions: a systematic review

Virtual Reality, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 29(2)

Published: March 14, 2025

Language: Английский

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Visual Perceptual Processing Abnormalities in Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Current topics in behavioral neurosciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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