Self-compassion and Self-criticism: a Virtual Reality Intervention

NCT05887141 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 10036
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 136
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate two independent Virtual Reality interventions for self-criticism and self-compassion and the use of perspective-change in these interventions.

Conditions

Self-Criticism

Keywords

Virtual Reality; self-criticism; self-compassion; perspective change; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion Scales (SCCS) - Change in Self-Criticism

  Levels of state self-criticism as measured by the SCCS. The questionnaire consists of five scenarios that could induce self-critical and/or self-compassionate reactions. For the self-criticism scale, participants indicate on a 7-point Likert scale (1= not at all to 7= highly) to what extent they would react towards themselves in a contemptuous, critical, and harsh manner (range 15-105, higher scores reflect more self-criticism).

  Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention

• Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion Scales (SCCS) - Change in Self-Compassion

  Levels of state self-compassion as measured by the SCCS. The questionnaire consists of five scenarios that could induce self-critical and/or self-compassionate reactions. For the self-compassion scale, participants indicate on a 7-point Likert scale (1= not at all to 7= highly) to what extent they would react towards themselves in a reassuring, soothing, and compassionate manner (range 15-105, higher scores reflect more self-compassion).

  Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in negative affect

  Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention

• Change in positive affect

  Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention

• Change in self-compassion and self-esteem

  Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention

Other Outcomes (6)

• Demographics

  Screening

• Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS)

  Screening

• Evaluation questions

  Directly after the +/- 60 minute intervention (Timepoint 2)

Study Arms (2)

Control Condition (no perspective change)

OTHER

The intervention (two role-plays), however without using a perspective change afterwards.

Behavioral: Double Standards; Behavioral: Self-criticism avatar

Perspective change condition

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention (two role-plays) with a perspective change after each role-play.

Behavioral: Double Standards; Behavioral: Self-criticism avatar

Interventions

Double Standards BEHAVIORAL

We created a VR intervention based on the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) technique 'double standards'. In the intervention the participants have to respond to a virtual character they imagine as their friend, who expresses similar self-criticism as they struggle with themselves. Two role-plays are played in Virtual Reality (either with or without perspective change after the role-plays). In the perspective change condition, the perspective is changed with the virtual friend (second person perspective).

Control Condition (no perspective change); Perspective change condition

Self-criticism avatar BEHAVIORAL

We created a VR intervention called 'Self-criticism avatar' that has common ground with two-chair dialogue. Participants have to assertively respond to their inner critic who criticizes them using their own self-critical thoughts. After responding assertively (for example: 'Go away, I don't need you', 'Good is good enough'), the virtual character becomes weaker until they give up. Two role-plays are played in Virtual Reality (either with or without perspective change after the role-plays). In the perspective change condition, the perspective is changed with a bystander (third person perspective).

Control Condition (no perspective change); Perspective change condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Enrolled in a study
• Score above 20 (\>20) on the subscale 'Inadequate self' of the FSCRS questionnaire

You may not qualify if:

• N/A

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Medical Center Groningen: lead
• PPO: collaborator
• University of Groningen: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University Medical Center Groningen

Groningen, 9713GZ, Netherlands

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Hidding M, Veling W, Pijnenborg GHM, van der Stouwe ECD. Facing your inner critic: a randomized controlled trial investigating a virtual reality intervention with and without a perspective change for excessive self-criticism. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2025 Dec;89:102053. doi: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2025.102053. Epub 2025 Jul 16.

  PMID: 40714698 DERIVED

Study Officials

• Elise van der Stouwe

  University Medical Center Groningen

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Two independent substudies, each with two arms. N=68 per substudy (N=136 total)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 1, 2023
• First Posted: June 2, 2023
• Study Start: October 12, 2021
• Primary Completion: June 9, 2023
• Study Completion: June 9, 2023
• Last Updated: July 17, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NL (1)