Is This My Own Body? Changing the Perceptual and Affective Body Image Experience among College Students Using a New Virtual Reality Embodiment-Based Technique

Bruno Porras Garcia,Mireia Gracia Blanes,Gamze Gültekin,Cristina González Ibañez,Eduardo Serrano Troncoso,José Gutiérrez Maldonado,Agata Olszewska,Marta Ferrer Garcia,Lena Yilmaz

doi:10.3390/jcm8070925

Abstract

Body image disturbances (BIDs) have been widely studied using virtual reality (VR) devices that induce a full body illusion (FBI) and allow manipulation of the individual’s perceptual and affective experiences of the body. This study aimed to assess whether the induction of the FBI over a virtual body would produce changes in body-related anxiety and BIDs using a new whole-body visuo-tactile stimulation procedure. Fifty non-clinical participants were randomly assigned to synchronous or asynchronous visuo-tactile groups. During the pre-assessment, all participants filled in BIDs and body-anxiety questionnaires. Then, they were embodied into two virtual bodies (VBs): firstly, with their real measurements, and secondly, with a larger-size body. Body image disturbances, body anxiety, fear of gaining weight, and FBI levels were assessed after exposure to each avatar. All participants in both conditions showed higher levels of BIDs and body anxiety after owning the larger-size VB than after owning the real-size VB (p < 0.05). The synchronous visuo-tactile group had higher scores, although the differences did not reach statistical significance. This study provides evidence of the usefulness of this new embodiment-based technique to induce changes in BIDs or body anxiety in a non-clinical sample, being suitable for use in future body image interventions.

Highlights

Body image has been described as a multi-dimensional construct reflecting the mental representation a person has of their physical appearance [1], including perceptual, cognitive, attitudinal, and affective components [2,3]
This study provides new evidence of the usefulness of virtual reality (VR) embodiment-based techniques to induce changes in body image disturbances or body anxiety in a non-clinical sample of college students
Our findings provide new information about how the influence of the full body illusion (FBI), induced by a synchronous visuo-tactile stimulation, may strengthen the FBI when participants own their real-size virtual bodies (VBs), but may elicit higher body image disturbances (BIDs) and body anxiety levels after owning a larger-size VB, with body anxiety measures being affected by a congruent visuo-tactile stimulation

Summary

Introduction

Body image has been described as a multi-dimensional construct reflecting the mental representation a person has of their physical appearance [1], including perceptual, cognitive, attitudinal, and affective components [2,3]. Body image disturbances (BIDs) involve dysfunctional cognitions, attitudes, and emotions related to the way in which an individual experiences their own body shape or weight. Body image distortion (the perceptual component) and body image dissatisfaction (the affective component) are the most commonly studied and assessed BIDs [4,5]. Other studies have suggested that body image may be a state rather than a trait and may, be modifiable, depending on the situation or emotional variables [6,8]. One emotional variable directly related to BID is fear of gaining weight and the resulting state body anxiety. An excessive concern with having a thinner body is related to high anxiety levels, and that, affects BID [9]

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