Cognitive-behavioral therapies associated with virtual reality make it possible to work on body image, control of impulsivity and automatic thoughts related to food.
The assistant accompanies the patient without judgment at each stage of the exposure. Test this approach for free and create a C2Care account to discover a scene integrating the digital tool.
Exposure to situations related to eating or body image can be relevant in supporting patients suffering from an eating disorder. However, reproducing these situations in consultation is not always simple.
Some depend on a particular context, such as a supermarket or fitting room, or on the presence of third parties, while their repetition and progression can be difficult to master.
Virtual reality makes it possible to recreate some of these contexts directly in the office, in a controlled and reproducible environment.
The C2Care environments allow you to recreate situations associated with eating and body image and gradually integrate them during the sessions.
In a virtual supermarket, the patient may be confronted with the choice or control of food. In a fitting room, he can work on the perception of his body, while an apartment allows him to approach the composition of meals in a familiar setting.
These situations can be repeated and gradually integrated into the practitioner's protocol in order to work with the patient on automatic thoughts, emotions and behaviors related to eating and body image.
VRET
The practitioner seats the patient on a swivel chair and fits them with the virtual reality headset
Using the control interface, the practitioner selects the environment suited to the session's goals and starts the exposure.
During immersion, the practitioner supports the patient using a visual feed and can adjust the exposure scene in real time
Environments
Several immersive environments allow you to work on anxiety-provoking situations linked to food and body image.
The supermarket reproduces a food purchasing situation that can generate anxiety, particularly around the choice or control of food. The patient works there in graduated exposure with the practitioner.
The fitting room confronts the patient with their body image, a situation that is often anxiety-provoking in cases of dysmorphophobia or anorexia nervosa. The exposure allows you to work on your perception of the body.
The apartment allows you to work on the composition of meals and the emotions linked to food consumption in a familiar and secure setting.
Create a free account to discover all exposure situations and subscribe directly online
Solène Montègue
Neuropsychiatrist
The developments C2Care is currently integrating into the interface are very promising and meet the established therapeutic objectives [...]: offering tailored exercises that can be adapted to levels of dependency, cognitive disorders, and patients' real-time responses.
Samia Lahya
Psychiatrist
With the acquisition of new equipment [...] and updates to the C2Care programs, its use has expanded even further: OCD, phobias, addictions, anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD. Ten years later, it is no longer merely a curiosity, but a genuine therapeutic tool that is stimulating, innovative, and effective.
Sabrina Gineau
Psychologist
I incorporate this technology into brief therapies lasting two to four months, with one session per week. I begin with relaxation techniques and, when patients are ready, we proceed. It makes it much easier to expose people to these situations.
Noël Schepers
Psychologist
Virtual reality can enrich and personalize treatment, facilitate patient-therapist collaboration in developing the treatment plan, and add a playful dimension. The possibilities for development and application are immense and extend to every area of psychology and psychotherapy.
MĂ©lanie Boucherot
Psychologist
The value of this technology [C2Care] lies in offering new possibilities for therapeutic support and expanding the range of tools available to healthcare professionals.
François Maltese
Psychologist
For several months, we have been using virtual reality in habituation therapies. Before the procedure, patients are progressively and immersively exposed to their future medical environment and psychologically prepared to accept it.
Dre Marie-Claude Roberge
Doctor of Psychology
Since 2022, we have been using virtual reality therapy with the C2Care platform to simulate exposure to aversive stimuli and triggers that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy is used to treat specific phobias, including fear of heights, enclosed spaces, flying, dogs, emetophobia, and many others.
Dr Laure Du Pouget
Urologist
Using a virtual reality headset for self-hypnosis during prostate biopsies creates a calm atmosphere for a procedure that can sometimes be uncomfortable, even with effective local anesthesia...
Delphine Py
Psychologist
Thank you to C2Care for providing innovative virtual reality solutions to support CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)! A major step forward in making exposure exercises easier and helping our patients overcome their phobias.
Low et al. — Effectiveness of virtual reality in the treatment of eating disorders with purging
The efficacy of virtual reality in the treatment of binge-purging eating disorders: A meta-analysis
Wiebe et al. — Virtual reality in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
Virtual reality in the diagnostic and therapy for mental disorders: A systematic review
Clus et al. — Use of virtual reality in patients with eating disorders
The Use of Virtual Reality in Patients with Eating Disorders: Systematic Review
Butler et al. — Exposure therapy for eating disorders
Exposure therapy for eating disorders: A systematic review
Freeman et al. — Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding and treatment of mental disorders
Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of mental health disorders
Discover more
Depending on your patients' needs, other areas may also be relevant to explore. Discover the different environments available in C2Care.
Create a free account to discover all exposure situations and subscribe directly online
FAQ
Find the answers to the most asked questions about the use of virtual reality for the treatment of eating disorders.
The three main ones are anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder. The DSM-V also describes pica, merycism, and restriction or avoidance of food ingestion. Each has distinct mechanisms and consequences.
Both disorders involve significant food ingestion. The difference is due to compensatory behaviors: present in bulimia (vomiting, laxatives), absent in binge eating disorder, which leads to weight gain during attacks.
Anorexia nervosa can lead to malnutrition or undernutrition, with a higher risk of mortality than the general population. Binge eating disorder can lead to excess weight with joint or cardiovascular consequences. Bulimia can cause digestive problems and dental problems.
Yes, CBT are among the most effective therapies for these disorders, with superior results to pharmacological treatments. The practitioner can work with the VRET on body image, impulsivity control and automatic thoughts related to eating.
The C2Care technical service can be reached via live chat from your control platform. A diagnosis is established with you and, if necessary, the defective equipment is replaced within 48 hours.
Yes, all C2Care environments are grouped into a single application. You don't need to install several separate software programs to access it.
