Modifications of Body-Image Induced by Virtual Reality

In contrast to the great number of publications on body image, only a few papers have focused on the treatment of a disturbed body image. In general, two direct and specific approaches are usually used, a cognitive/behavioural therapy to influence patient's feelings of dissatisfaction and a visuomotor therapy with the aim of influencing bodily awareness. The aim of this study was both to develop a virtual reality environment integrating the two approaches and to test its efficacy on a nonclinical sample of 24 women. Before and after a 10-min. virtual experience all the subjects made ratings on the Figure Rating Scale and the Contour Drawing Rating Scale. Analysis showed a significant reduction in body dissatisfaction without any major side effect.