@article{cornoExploringVirtualReality2026,

title = {Exploring Virtual Reality for Body Image Assessment and Psychological Interventions in Individuals With Obesity: a Comprehensive Review},

author = {G. Corno and Á. Zamora and S. Bouchard and R. Baños and A. Baillot and J. Monthuy-Blanc},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105024457568?origin=resultslist},

doi = {10.1111/obr.70051},

issn = {14677881 (ISSN)},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-01-01},

journal = {Obesity Reviews},

volume = {27},

number = {4},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Inc},

abstract = {Introduction: Individuals living with obesity often experience body image (BI) disturbances, which can negatively affect their quality of life and treatment outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing psychological interventions, but no comprehensive review has specifically focused on VR-based studies addressing BI disturbances in this population. Methods: This comprehensive review examined studies utilizing VR for the assessment and treatment of BI disturbances in individuals with obesity. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Studies were categorized into three groups: (i) VR in psychological interventions for individuals with obesity, (ii) VR interventions following metabolic and bariatric surgery, and (iii) VR-based full-body illusion experiments. The primary clinical application was experiential cognitive therapy, which demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing negative BI compared with standard cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatments. Studies involving post-metabolic and bariatric surgery adults also supported VR's efficacy in reducing BI dissatisfaction, though long-term benefits were inconsistent. Full-body illusion experiments suggested that VR can help modify distorted body perceptions. However, most studies were conducted by the same research group, focused exclusively on women, and were limited to specific geographical regions, primarily Italy. Conclusion: While preliminary results suggest that VR is a promising tool for treating BI disturbances in individuals with obesity, the field remains under-researched. Notably, no studies have explored VR's potential as an assessment tool in this population. Future studies should include more diverse populations, investigate long-term outcomes, and explore potential barriers to clinical implementation. © 2025 The Author(s). Obesity Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of World Obesity Federation.},

keywords = {adult, Anxiety disorder, Assertiveness, Bariatric Surgery, body dysmorphic disorder, body image, body image assessment, body image avoidance questionnaire, body image disturbances, body satisfaction scale, bulimia, Clinical research, cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, Depression, electroconvulsive therapy, exercise, feeding behavior, female, follow up, gastric banding, geography, group therapy, human, Humans, Italy, low calorie diet, male, obesity, overnutrition, physical activity, procedures, psychology, psychotherapy, quality of life, review, social background, systematic review, Therapy, Three-Factor-Eating-Questionnaire, training, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{renaud_use_2011,

title = {The use of virtual reality in clinical psychology research: Focusing on approach and avoidance behaviors},

author = {P. Renaud and S. Chartier and P. Fedoroff and J. Bradford and J. L. Rouleau and J. Proulx and S. Bouchard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105014138805&doi=10.4018%2F978-1-60960-561-2.ch805&partnerID=40&md5=753e4060a90690ea0579eecb0f92ebcf},

doi = {10.4018/978-1-60960-561-2.ch805},

issn = {978-160960562-9 (ISBN); 978-160960561-2 (ISBN)},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-01-01},

journal = {Clinical Technologies: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools and Applications},

pages = {2073–2093},

abstract = {This chapter presents research that is laying a foundation for new simulation applications that promise learning-oriented treatments for mental health conditions. After presenting background on their technologies and measurement techniques, the authors describe experimental applications of this approach. Analysis of negative and positive responses to virtual reality (VR) stimuli, as well as their complex composites, can lead to a better understanding of patient responses, including fundamental perceptual and cognitive causal relationships. Measuring patients' dynamic parameters in VR simulations can possibly lead to new treatment approaches for psychopathologies The biological and behavioral feedback obtained by virtual mediation, based on parameters of the perceptivo-motor dynamics such those described in this chapter, represents a promising avenue for future investigation. © 2011 by IGI Global. All rights reserved.},

keywords = {Approach behaviours, Avoidance behaviour, Bioinformatics, Causal relationships, Clinical research, Complex composites, Experimental application, Health condition, Measurement techniques, Mental health, Patient response, Patient treatment, Psychophysiology, Simulation applications, Virtual environments, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{renaudUseVirtualReality2011,

title = {The use of virtual reality in clinical psychology research: Focusing on approach and avoidance behaviors},

author = {P. Renaud and S. Chartier and P. Fedoroff and J. Bradford and J. L. Rouleau and J. Proulx and S. Bouchard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105014138805&doi=10.4018%2F978-1-60960-561-2.ch805&partnerID=40&md5=753e4060a90690ea0579eecb0f92ebcf},

doi = {10.4018/978-1-60960-561-2.ch805},

issn = {978-160960562-9 (ISBN); 978-160960561-2 (ISBN)},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-01-01},

journal = {Clinical Technologies: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools and Applications},

pages = {2073–2093},

abstract = {This chapter presents research that is laying a foundation for new simulation applications that promise learning-oriented treatments for mental health conditions. After presenting background on their technologies and measurement techniques, the authors describe experimental applications of this approach. Analysis of negative and positive responses to virtual reality (VR) stimuli, as well as their complex composites, can lead to a better understanding of patient responses, including fundamental perceptual and cognitive causal relationships. Measuring patients' dynamic parameters in VR simulations can possibly lead to new treatment approaches for psychopathologies The biological and behavioral feedback obtained by virtual mediation, based on parameters of the perceptivo-motor dynamics such those described in this chapter, represents a promising avenue for future investigation. © 2011 by IGI Global. All rights reserved.},

keywords = {Approach behaviours, Avoidance behaviour, Bioinformatics, Causal relationships, Clinical research, Complex composites, Experimental application, Health condition, Measurement techniques, Mental health, Patient response, Patient treatment, Psychophysiology, Simulation applications, Virtual environments, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}