Virtual reality-based experiential cognitive treatment of obesity and binge-eating disorders

This paper describes the characteristics and preliminary evaluation of Expe riential Cognitive Therapy (Experiential CT), a VR-based treatment to be us ed in the treatment and assessment of obesity and binge-eating disorders. E xperiential CT is a relatively short-term, integrated, patient-oriented app roach that focuses on individual discovery. The main characteristic of this approach is the use of Virtual Reality, a new technology that allows the u ser to be immersed in a computer-generated virtual world. Two preliminary c linical trials were carried out on female patients: 25 patients suffering f rom binge-eating disorders were included in the first study and 18 obese in the second. At the end of the inpatient treatments, the patients of both s amples modified significantly their bodily awareness. This modification was associated to a reduction in problematic eating and social behaviours. No subjects experienced simulation sickness. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & S ons, Ltd.