title: The use of virtual reality in the study, assessment, and treatment of body image in eating disorders and nonclinical samples: a review of the literature.
abstract: This article reviews research into the use of virtual reality in the study, assessment, and treatment of body image disturbances in eating disorders and nonclinical samples. During the last decade, virtual reality has emerged as a technology that is especially suitable not only for the assessment of body image disturbances but also for its treatment. Indeed, several virtual environment-based software systems have been developed for this purpose. Furthermore, virtual reality seems to be a good alternative to guided imagery and in vivo exposure, and is therefore very useful for studies that require exposure to life-like situations but which are difficult to conduct in the real world. Nevertheless, review highlights the lack of published controlled studies and the presence of methodological drawbacks that should be considered in future studies. This article also discusses the implications of the results obtained and proposes directions for future research.
authors: Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatments, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. martaferrerg@ub.edu
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Ferrer-García
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Gutiérrez-Maldonado
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004644:Emotions; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy / Q000379:methods; D011936:Reality Testing; D014584:User-Computer Interface