ESCAPE-AN

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain and severely restricted food intake. It poses a major societal challenge due to its high mortality rate and serious health consequences. This is partly because both the disease itself and the underlying therapeutic mechanisms have not yet been fully researched.

In the Escape-AN project with our partner PD Dr. Gertraud Gradl-Dietsch from the LVR-Klinikum, we develop a concept in which virtual reality (VR) in the form of VR escape rooms is used as a metaphorical symbol for “escaping” anorexia. The application aims to specifically address the effects of the disease and influence them therapeutically, during a phase in which patients have stabilized and are no longer suffering from a severe caloric deficit.

As part of the project, several scenarios are to be developed that include, among other things, approaches such as exposure to high-calorie foods, the interactive selection of portion sizes, and shifts in perspective, which are also suitable for family members of those affected.