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Kan vi bli bättre på att inte tänka negativt om oss själva genom att använda virtual reality?

Wearing virtual-reality glasses and body sensors, the patients watch their avatars mimic their body movements, making it feel as if they are one in the same. It’s called “embodiment.”

In the study, the avatar comes across a crying child. The patient was previously given generic compassionate phrases to offer the child and was instructed to deliver them slowly and softly. The child avatar was programmed to respond positively to the patient’s kindness.

Then, in a second phase, the patient takes on the role of the child and, in the virtual reality world, sees the adult avatar they just embodied approach them and offer the same words of compassion in their own voice.

After repeating the intervention three more times over a month, several patients said it had helped them be kinder to themselves, and many said it reduced their depressive symptoms. One patient said it made her realize that “we are all human and vulnerable and it’s ok to be vulnerable as an adult,” according to the study. Others said they reflected on the experience when they were upset and it helped them be more self-compassionate.