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NCT Number: NCT05460104

Impact of the Use of VERT on Body Image After Bariatric Surgery

The purpose ot the study is to assess the effectiveness of the use of VERT on improving body image at 12 months in patients who underwent bariatric surgery in the weight stabilization phase (between 18 and 30 months after bariatric) presenting dissatisfaction with their body image compared to standard follow-up in post-bariatric surgery (lack of specific management of body image).

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Bariatric Surgery Candidate Body Dysmorphic Disorders Body Weight Mental Disorders Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Somatoform Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

CH de Libourne - Hôpital Robert BOULIN, Libourne, France

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About this study

Virtual reality therapy makes it possible to work on the integration of proprioceptive information via the reproduction of environments close to reality and therefore allow the patient to accept his new identity. This tool is used in an increasing number of indications and in particular in the management of dysmorphophobia in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa. In the context of bariatric surgery, only case reports have been published so far. Significant improvements in the body satisfaction scores of patients have been showed, in patients who had undergone bariatric surgery who presented bodily dissatisfaction after 6 weeks of virtual reality. However, larger numbers, longer follow-up periods and more rigorous methodologies are needed to confirm the impact of this practice. The hypothesis of the study is that virtual reality therapy could improve body image in patients who are dissatisfied with their body image after bariatric surgery.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

  • inclusion criteria: patients who underwent bariatric surgery in the weight stabilization phase (between 18 and 30 months after surgery) presenting dissatisfaction with their body image according to the BSQ (score ≥ 111), to be affiliated to the French social security system. The prior, free and informed consent of the patient shall be obtained.
  • exclusion criteria: patients with disabling nausea (Motion Sickness) from previous use of a virtual reality headset, patients who had from post-bariatric reconstructive surgery, epileptic patients, decompensation of a psychiatric pathology

Treatment and study plan

Experimental

Device

Virtual reality sessions with a psychologist (30 minutes per session) once a week for 10 weeks. Work of the psychologist on a virtual environment created for the protocol in partnership with the company.

Control

Other

Standard care is medical follow-up, no specific psychological care.

Primary outcomes

  1. Body Shape Questionnaire

    Time frame: Between inclusion and 12 months after.

    Average variation of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). BSQ is a 34 questions questionnaire, for each question the answer is 1 to 6, 1 for "never" and 6 for "always".

    (score ≥ 111, moderate body image concern)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change weight

    Time frame: Between inclusion day and Month 3

    Average weight loss in %, in the two arms.

  2. Change weight

    Time frame: Between Month 6 and Month 12

    Average weight loss in %, in the two arms.

  3. Body Image Assessment for Obesity questionnaire

    Time frame: Between inclusion day and Month 3

    Average variation in Body Image Assessment for Obesity, in each arm. The patient surrounds the figure that seems to closest to his or her current figure. And then he surrounds the figure he would like to achieve.This is a schematic representation of the body, from the thinnest silhouette in 1 to the widest in 18

  4. Body Image Assessment for Obesity questionnaire

    Time frame: Between Month 6 and Month 12

    Average variation in Body Image Assessment for Obesity questionnaire, in each arm.The patient surrounds the figure that seems to closest to his or her current figure. And then he surrounds the figure he would like to achieve. This is a schematic representation of the body, from the thinnest silhouette in 1 to the widest in 18

  5. Quality of Life, Obesity and Dietetics questionnaire assess quality of life

    Time frame: Between inclusion day and Month 3

    Average variation of the Quality of Life, Obesity and Dietetics, in each arm. This questionnaire consists of 36 questions that focus on the effects of the weight problem as experienced by the patient. For each question the patient can answer from 1 to 5: 1 always, 5 never.

  6. Quality of Life, Obesity and Dietetics questionnaire assess quality of life

    Time frame: Between Month 6 and Month 12

    Average variation of the Quality of Life, Obesity and Dietetics, in each arm. This questionnaire consists of 36 questions that focus on the effects of the weight problem as experienced by the patient. For each question the patient can answer from 1 to 5: 1 always, 5 never.

  7. Self-esteem

    Time frame: Between inclusion day and Month 3

    Average variation of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, in each arm. The scale represents an assessment of the person's overall self-esteem. The scale consists of 10 statements measured on a scale of 1 to 4: 1 "Totally disagree", 4 "Totally agree".

    The score is between 10 and 40. A score below 25 indicates very low self-esteem. A score between 25 and 31 indicates low self-esteem. A score between 31 and 34 indicates average self-esteem. A score between 34 and 39 indicates strong self-esteem. A score above 39 indicates very high self-esteem.

  8. Self-esteem

    Time frame: Between Month 6 and Month 12

    Average variation of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, in each arm.The scale represents an assessment of the person's overall self-esteem. The scale consists of 10 statements measured on a scale of 1 to 4: 1 "Totally disagree", 4 "Totally agree".

    The score is between 10 and 40. A score below 25 indicates very low self-esteem. A score between 25 and 31 indicates low self-esteem. A score between 31 and 34 indicates average self-esteem. A score between 34 and 39 indicates strong self-esteem. A score above 39 indicates very high self-esteem.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Bordeaux

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of the Use of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy on Body Image After Bariatric Surgery

Acronym: BARIAREV

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 15, 2022
Registry last updated
Jan 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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