Attentional Bias Modification Training Based on Virtual Reality and Eye Tracking in Anorexia Nervosa Patients
Por:
Ascione M, Marta Carulla Roig, Miquel-Nabau H, Porras-Garcia B, Meschberger-Annweiler FA, Serrano E, Ferrer-Garcia M, Moreno-Sánchez M and Gutierrez-Maldonado J
Publicada:
1 sep 2023
Ahead of Print:
12 sep 2023
Categoría:
Medicine (miscellaneous)
Resumen:
Anorexia nervosa (AN) patients exhibit attentional bias (AB) related to the body, which is the tendency to pay greater attention to weight-related body areas compared to non-weight-related ones. This phenomenon has been linked to elevated levels of body dissatisfaction (BD) and may potentially reduce the effectiveness of body exposure therapy. The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the efficacy of a single session of a new body-related AB modification task (ABMT) that combines virtual reality with eye tracking in patients with AN. The goals of the ABMT are to reduce body-related AB by balancing attention between weight and non-weight-related body areas and to reduce BD levels. Twenty-three adolescent patients with AN were embodied in a virtual avatar and immersed in a virtual environment where they completed the ABMT. Body-related AB measures and BD levels were assessed before and after the training. A paired samples t-test showed statistically significant differences between pre-assessment and post-assessment; the complete fixation time on weight-related body parts was reduced and BD levels decreased. The initial evidence of the efficacy of this ABMT has important clinical implications, since AB and BD are considered risk factors for developing and maintaining eating disorder symptomatology among patients with AN.
Filiaciones:
Ascione M:
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Marta Carulla Roig:
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu of Barcelona, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
Miquel-Nabau H:
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Porras-Garcia B:
Department of Population Health Science, University of Utah School of Medicine, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
Meschberger-Annweiler FA:
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Serrano E:
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu of Barcelona, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
Ferrer-Garcia M:
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Moreno-Sánchez M:
Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Gutierrez-Maldonado J:
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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