Virtual reality–enhanced cognitive–behavioral therapy for obese patients with bulimia nervosa: a pilot study with one-year follow-up.

The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a Virtual Reality intervention in comparison with an integrated multimodal medically managed inpatient program (IP), in 24 female obese patients with Bulimia Nervosa. In order to compare the effectiveness of both treatment conditions psychological measures were assessed at two points: pre-treatment and post-treatment. At the follow-up, patients were asked to report the weight, and the number of binges and vomiting episodes had in the last 3 months. Overall, these variables were evaluated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months from the date of discharge. The treatment with virtual reality seems more effective in promoting an improvement in the psychological variables measured, as well as a reduction of symptoms and greater weight loss in the long term.