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Embodying self-compassion within virtual reality and its effects on patients with depression

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. AIMS: To investigate whether the effects of self-identification with virtual bodies within immersive virtual re...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Falconer, Caroline J., Rovira, Aitor, King, John A., Gilbert, Paul, Antley, Angus, Fearon, Pasco, Ralph, Neil, Slater, Mel, Brewin, Chris R.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4995586/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27703757
http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.002147
Descripción
Sumario: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. AIMS: 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. METHOD: 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. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None. COPYRIGHT AND USAGE: © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence.