title: Embodying self-compassion within virtual reality and its effects on patients with depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Self-criticism is a ubiquitous feature of psychopathology and can be combatted by increasing levels of self-compassion. However, some patients are resistant to self-compassion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether the effects of self-identification with virtual bodies within immersive virtual reality could be exploited to increase self-compassion in patients with depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed an 8-minute scenario in which 15 patients practised delivering compassion in one virtual body and then experienced receiving it from themselves in another virtual body.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In an open trial, three repetitions of this scenario led to significant reductions in depression severity and self-criticism, as well as to a significant increase in self-compassion, from baseline to 4-week follow-up. Four patients showed clinically significant improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that interventions using immersive virtual reality may have considerable clinical potential and that further development of these methods preparatory to a controlled trial is now warranted.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  None.
  © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence.
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authors.affiliation: , PhD, Clinical Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK.
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authors.affiliation: , PhD, Department of Computer Science.
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authors.affiliation: , PhD, Clinical Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK.
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authors.affiliation: , PhD, Clinical Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK.
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