Virtual reality eye movements are not inferior to computerized eye movements and exposure in ameliorating aversive memories

Background and objectives: Lab studies show that the emotionality and vividness of aversive memories decrease as a result of engaging in a working memory task during the recall of that memory. Translation of the dual tasking working mechanism to a VR program would allow for future VR-EMDR clinical and dissemination trials. The current study took the first step towards that goal by assessing the non-inferiority of a Virtual Reality (VR) eye movement task compared to computerized eye movements in amelioration of aversive autobiographical memory in a student sample. Methods: In a cross-over design, university students (N = 195) recalled three aversive autobiographical memories and received VR Eye Movements (VR EM), Computerized Eye Movements (EM), and Exposure Only (EO). Emotionality and vividness of the memories were assessed before and after each condition. Results: We found VR EM to be non-inferior to Computerized EM and EO in reducing emotionality and vividness. Both EM conditions outperformed the EO condition. Against our expectations, we found steeper declines of emotionality scores in the VR EM condition compared to the Computerized EM. Lastly, we found a sensitization effect in our EO condition: emotionality and vividness increased due to this procedure. Limitations: Despite our efforts in standardizing working memory taxation between the dual tasking conditions (such as viewing angle and speed of eye movements), characteristics of the VR eye movements task might have unintentionally loaded additional working memory. Conclusions: These findings show that VR eye movements could be a viable dual task and might serve as the first step to research VR eye movements in clinical practice.