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. 2016 Feb 15;2(1):74-80.
doi: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.002147. eCollection 2016 Jan.

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

Caroline J Falconer  1 , Aitor Rovira  2 , John A King  3 , Paul Gilbert  4 , Angus Antley  5 , Pasco Fearon  3 , Neil Ralph  6 , Mel Slater  7 , Chris R Brewin  3
Affiliations

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

Caroline J Falconer et al. BJPsych Open. .

Abstract

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.

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