Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that Virtual Reality (VR) has a potential utility in eating disorders. The objective of this study is to review the literature on the use of VR in bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED). Using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement for reporting systematic reviews, we performed a PubMed, Web of Knowledge and SCOPUS search to identify studies employing VR in the assessment and treatment of BN and BED. The following search terms were used: “virtual reality”, “eating disorders”, “binge eating”, and “bulimia nervosa”. From the 420 articles identified, 19 were selected, nine investigated VR in assessment and 10 were treatment studies (one case-report, two non-controlled and six randomized controlled trials). The studies using VR in BN and BED are at an early stage. However, considering the available evidence, the use of VR in the assessment of those conditions showed some promise in identifying: (1) how those patients experienced their body image; and (2) environments or specific kinds of foods that may trigger binge–purging cycle. Some studies using VR-based environments associated to cognitive behavioral techniques showed their potential utility in improving motivation for change, self-esteem, body image disturbances and in reducing binge eating and purging behavior.
Highlights
Eating disorders (EDs) are widespread, disabling and often chronic mental disorders [1,2,3].They are categorized, according to DSM-5 [4], as a group of conditions characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating or eating related behaviors resulting in altered consumption or absorption of food that impairs physical health and psychosocial functioning
Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) could be described by low body weight, food restriction, fear of becoming fat and an overvaluation of their weight/shape (body image (BI) concerns); in those with bulimia nervosa (BN), the core symptomatology are the presence of recurrent binge eating (BE) episodes followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors
Sci. 2017, 7, 43 fasting, etc.) to prevent weight gain and a self-evaluation unduly influenced by body shape/weight; and, subjects with binge eating disorder (BED) have recurrent BE but did not engage in compensatory behaviors as those seen in BN
Summary
Eating disorders (EDs) are widespread, disabling and often chronic mental disorders [1,2,3] They are categorized, according to DSM-5 [4], as a group of conditions characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating or eating related behaviors resulting in altered consumption or absorption of food that impairs physical health and psychosocial functioning. Patients with AN could be described by low body weight, food restriction, fear of becoming fat and an overvaluation of their weight/shape (body image (BI) concerns); in those with BN, the core symptomatology are the presence of recurrent binge eating (BE) episodes followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors Sci. 2017, 7, 43 fasting, etc.) to prevent weight gain and a self-evaluation unduly influenced by body shape/weight; and, subjects with BED have recurrent BE but did not engage in compensatory behaviors as those seen in BN
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