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Anorexia Nervosa, Body Image Perception and Virtual Reality Therapeutic Applications: State of the Art and Operational Proposal

Author

Listed:
  • Massimo Magrini

    (Institute of Information Science and Technologies “Alessandro Faedo”, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Olivia Curzio

    (Unit of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Marco Tampucci

    (Institute of Information Science and Technologies “Alessandro Faedo”, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Gabriele Donzelli

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Liliana Cori

    (Unit of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Maria Cristina Imiotti

    (Unit of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Sandra Maestro

    (Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Calambrone, Italy)

  • Davide Moroni

    (Institute of Information Science and Technologies “Alessandro Faedo”, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) patients exhibit distorted body representation. The purpose of this study was to explore studies that analyze virtual reality (VR) applications, related to body image issues, to propose a new tool in this field. We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were explored; the review included 25 studies. Research has increased over the last five years. The selected studies, clinical observational studies ( n = 16), mostly concerning patients’ population with AN ( n = 14) or eating disorders (EDs) diagnosis, presented multiple designs, populations involved, and procedures. Some of these studies included healthy control groups ( n = 7). Studies on community sample populations were also selected if oriented toward clinical applications ( n = 9). The VR technologies in the examined period (about 20 years) have evolved significantly, going from very complex and bulky systems, requiring very powerful computers, to agile systems. The advent of low-cost VR devices has given a big boost to research works. Moreover, the operational proposal that emerges from this work supports the use of biofeedback techniques aimed at evaluating the results of therapeutic interventions in the treatment of adolescent patients diagnosed with AN.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimo Magrini & Olivia Curzio & Marco Tampucci & Gabriele Donzelli & Liliana Cori & Maria Cristina Imiotti & Sandra Maestro & Davide Moroni, 2022. "Anorexia Nervosa, Body Image Perception and Virtual Reality Therapeutic Applications: State of the Art and Operational Proposal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-30, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2533-:d:755729
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    Cited by:

    1. Szu-Ting Yang & Chia-Hao Liu & Sheng-Hsiang Ma & Wen-Hsun Chang & Yi-Jen Chen & Wen-Ling Lee & Peng-Hui Wang, 2022. "Association between Pre-Pregnancy Overweightness/Obesity and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-16, July.

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