Abstract
BIVRS, Body Image Virtual Reality Scale, is a prototype of a diagnostic freeware tool designed to assess cognitive and affective components of body image. It consists of a non- immersive 3D graphical interface through which the patient is able to choose between 7 figures which vary in size from underweight to overweight. The software was developed in two architectures, the first (A) running on a single user desktop computer equipped with a standard virtual reality development software, and the second (B) split into a server (B1) accessible via Internet and actually running the same virtual ambient as in (A), and a VRML client (B2) so that anyone can access the application. The importance of a virtual reality based body image scale relies on the possibility to rapidly test one's perceived body image in better and different ways. It also provides an opportunity to easily develop a trans-cultural database on body image data. Furthermore, the possibility of using 3D can improve the effectiveness of the test because it is easier for the subject to perceive the differences between the various proposed silhouettes.
Highlights
Body image disturbancesConcern with body size and shape has become very common in western society, among females
BIVRS, Body Image Virtual Reality Scale, is a prototype of a diagnostic freeware tool designed to assess cognitive and affective components of body image
The importance of a virtual reality based body image scale relies on the possibility to rapidly test in better and different ways one's perceived body image
Summary
Concern with body size and shape has become very common in western society, among females. Some studies concerning the efficacy of the cognitive-behavioral treatment of anorexia have indicated that patients who make a larger overestimate of their own bodily dimensions [Casper et al, 1979], or who are more pleased with their own physical appearance [Vandereychken et al, 1988], gain less weight after a period of treatment. Among those who manage to reach their target weight, post-treatment weight loss correlates directly with the way in which patients perceive their own size [Button, 1986]. The degree of satisfaction that patients have in relation to their bodies has been shown to be related both to a reduction in bulimic behavior and to subsequent relapses [Conners et al, 1984], [Freeman et al, 1985]
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