Therapeutic immersion: a single-subject study on virtual reality multisensory experiences for mitigating body disturbance in anorexia nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a mental health condition marked by reduced food consumption, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body experience. Virtual Reality (VR)-based techniques—i.e., Body-Swapping and Mirror Exposure techniques—offer promising avenues for addressing body disturbance in AN, allowing patients to embody virtual bodies varying in size and shape. We used a single-subject experimental design to explore the potential of virtual reality multisensory experiences for mitigating body disturbance in AN. We examine the case of a 24-year-old female hospitalized with restrictive Anorexia Nervosa who underwent a novel body-focused VR intervention alongside the hospital's standard care. The intervention included six bi-weekly sessions, wherein the patient was immersed in a VR environment that allowed her to embody a virtual body that matched a healthy weight range. Through interactions with a virtual mirror, the patient was encouraged to concentrate on the body's positive aspects and functional abilities, thinking about its significance in her past, current, and anticipated future activities (Functional Mirror Exposure). The patient reported reduced body dissatisfaction, negative beliefs, and body misperception. These changes endorse using immersive, multisensory, and embodied experiences to alter body consciousness and body–self relationship. Results preliminary support the transformative potential of VR in improving traditional approaches to assess and alter body disturbance. Level of evidence Level IV.