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Virtual therapy helps tackle depression

With the new approach patients with depression wear a headset and they are required to do is embody themselves as a virtual reality avatar of a crying child. The computer images played begin with an image of the patient as an adult (a computer generated ‘mirror image’) and then of the patient as a child (as a virtual representation.) These images are broadcast life size

The results to date indicate this process could help with depression. With the research, 15 subjects (10 female and five male and aged 23 to 61 years old), each diagnosed with depression and enrolled in treatment, undertook the avatar experience.

The first image projected was the patient as an adult. The patients were instructed to identify themselves with the computer representation. The animated figure replicated the patient’s own body movements (in what is called “embodiment“.)

Following this, each patient was given a separate avatar, designed to represent a crying child. The patient was instructed to say kind and compassionate things to the child, with the aim of comforting and consoling the youngster. At this stage the child did not represent the patient.

As part of this process, the patients were asked to say to the child to think of a time when the child was happy, and to recall someone who loved them.

Following this, the experiment was re-run and this time the child was animated to be the embodiment of the patient, with the patient controlling the movements of the avatar. Sound recordings of the patient’s own voice (when they played the adult) were played back to them.

Overall the results were effective,. Lead researcher Professor Chris Brewin told BBC Science: “In this study, by comforting the child and then hearing their own words back, patients are indirectly giving themselves compassion. The aim was to teach patients to be more compassionate towards themselves and less self-critical.” On this basis, further tests will be undertaken.

The study was conducted by the University College London, and the results are published in the British Journal of Psychiatry Open. The paper is titled “Embodying self-compassion within virtual reality and its effects on patients with depression.”

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Written By

Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

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