Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40960658›Full record

ArticleEating and weight disorders : EWD2025

Reflection of therapy progress in virtual reality for individuals affected by obesity: a pilot study.

Tatjana Anne Korbanka, Sandra Schild, Isabelle Mack, Katrin Elisabeth Giel, Simone Claire Behrens

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Eating and weight disorders : EWD, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Tatjana Anne KorbankaMedical Clinic, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany. tatjana.korbanka@med.uni-tuebingen.de.
Sandra SchildMedical Clinic, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
Isabelle MackMedical Clinic, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
Katrin Elisabeth GielMedical Clinic, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
Simone Claire BehrensMedical Clinic, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeObesity is a major health challenge, requiring the development of more effective interventions. Setting realistic goals and developing detailed plans that anticipate potential challenges can be helpful strategies for bridging the intention-behavior gap. Immersive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), are considered to further support closing this gap by reducing the distance to one's future self.

methodsThis study investigates a novel VR-supported reflection exercise as an additional treatment module within a conservative obesity treatment regime. It examines its feasibility, acceptance and short- and medium-term effects on participants' therapy motivation, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and eating behavior. 23 participants (BMI: M = 43.44 kg/m

resultsParticipation and dropout rates of the VR-supported reflection exercise, user experience ratings, assessments on general discomfort and qualitative feedback demonstrated good feasibility and acceptance of the VR exercise. There were no measurable effects of a single session on clinical outcomes, including motivation to change, eating disorder psychopathology, self-esteem and depressive symptoms.

conclusionsThe VR-based reflection exercise was feasible and well-accepted. The sample was highly burdened with multimorbidity, severe obesity (grade III), and psychological stress. A clinical trial with sufficient dosage would be required to infer about clinical effects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

Indexed as

Body ImageObesityVirtual RealityAdultDepressionFeeding BehaviorFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMotivationPilot ProjectsSelf ConceptTreatment OutcomeYoung AdultCognitive therapyObesityPsychotherapy researchVirtual reality

Identifiers

PMID40960658
PMCPMC12443911

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.