Visual training program for body dysmorphic disorder: A new treatment trial

About this study

Research Team

Francesca Beilharz

Institution

Swinburne University

Project Start Date

1 May 2024

Project End Date

31 October 2024

Participants

To participate in the study, you must:
- have a primary diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
- be 18 to 65 years old
- speak English as your preferred language
- have no history of neurological or eye conditions
- be willing to attend ten weekly sessions at Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn campus.

What is Involved

Participating will involve completing pre- and post-assessments, as well as attending weekly sessions over a period of ten weeks with a trained therapist. All participants will be reimbursed $50 for the pre- and post-assessments for their time and any travel expenses.
The assessments include:

clinical interview
eye tracking tasks
social cognition tasks
questionnaires.

The 10-week training program consists of three phases:

1. general visual training
2. face-specific visual training
3. self-perception visual training using mirrors.

Location

Melbourne

Contact Details

For further information, please contact Doctoral Student Researcher Francesca Beilharz via fbeilharz@swinburne.edu.au or +61 3 9214 5614.

We are conducting a new treatment trial involving a visual training program designed for individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). This is based on research that individuals with body dysmorphic disorder can view certain images in a different way to those without the disorder, which can maintain or worsen symptoms.


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