Virtual reality induces symptoms of depersonalization and derealization: A longitudinal randomised control trial

Abstract

Trusting reports on internet forums, a substantial number of people have developed unpleasant symptoms of depersonalization (DP) and derealization (DR) after virtual reality (VR) consumption. Likewise, one case series study indicates that even after one single VR session, transient DPDR experiences may occur. Despite these indications, little is otherwise known about the risk of developing DPDR from VR consumption. Therefore, we carried out the present longitudinal randomised controlled trial (N = 80), which examined, whether VR-gaming induces higher DPDR effects than classical PC gaming, and if so, how long DPDR effects persist. DPDR effects were assessed immediately before gaming (T0), immediately after gaming (T1), one day after gaming (T2) and one week after gaming (T3). Moreover, given evidence for an emotional hyporeagibility under DPDR, the participants’ emotional and physiological (EDA, HRV) reagibility towards emotional pictures was assessed immediately after gaming. Likewise, to study whether certain personality traits might be associated with the occurrence of VR-induced DPDR effects, we administered a personality inventory to our participants. Results reveal that, after VR gaming, a significantly stronger DPDR experience was reported in the VR group than PC group at T1, while at T2 and T3, no significant DPDR group differences were detectable. Furthermore, no significant group differences were found in respect to emotional and physiological reagibility, nor were any correlations between personality traits and DPDR symptoms found. In summary, although our study provides further evidence that VR consumption can transiently induce DPDR-like symptoms, we find no evidence that these DPDR effects persist in the long term.