3D Reconstruction, VR and Machine Learning in Body Image in Bariatrics

June 19, 2026 updated by: Imperial College London

The Use of 3D Reconstruction, Virtual Reality, and Machine Learning in Addressing Body Image in Bariatric Metabolic Surgery.

Studies have shown that following bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS), patients continue to experience dissatisfaction with their new body image and identity). The reason for this is poorly understood but negative body image perception after surgery is linked to poor psychological and clinical outcomes. Our pilot study looking at the acceptability and feasibility of 3D reconstruction and virtual reality (VR) in addressing body image in BMS found that participants felt better informed about how their body will change following significant weight loss and agreed this novel intervention would be beneficial in helping patients adjust to changes in their body after BMS.

The investigators propose a randomised control trial comparing group body image counselling and group body image counselling with 3D reconstruction and VR in addressing body image in BMS. The study aims to enrol 80 participants from the Tier 4 bariatric group at St Mary's Hospital and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. After consent, participants will be divided into two groups: the control group will receive traditional group body image counselling, and the intervention group will receive the same counselling supplemented with VR and 3D reconstructed images depicting 15% and 25% total less body weight. Both groups will undergo four sessions over six months.

The investigators will collect data including body measurements and 3D images of the participant in their underwear using a secure password protected device at baseline and follow participants at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months post-BMS. Patient reported outcomes will be assessed through patient-reported questionnaires.

This trial seeks to determine if integrating 3D reconstruction and VR technology into body image counselling can provide better support for patients adjusting to body image changes post-BMS, potentially leading to improved psychological and clinical outcomes.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

80

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Tier 4 bariatric group
  • On waiting list for bariatric metabolic surgery
  • Able to stand unaided for at least 5 minutes

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Anyone who cannot provide informed consent
  • Anyone who is involved in current research or has recently been involved in any research prior to recruitment.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control Group
Body Image Counselling without Virtual Reality
Experimental: Intervention Group
Body Image Counselling with Virtual Reality
Behavioral: Body Image Counselling with Virtual Reality
Body image counselling using personalised 3D reconstructed images of participant with 15% and 25% total body weight loss in a virtual reality environment.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Body Weight
Time Frame: Baseline and through study completion, an average of 3 years.
kg
Baseline and through study completion, an average of 3 years.
Patient reported outcome measure - Weight Bias Internalisation Scale.
Time Frame: Baseline and through study completion, an average of 3 years.
Minimum score 1. Maximum score 7. Score 1 - 3.9 = Low to Moderate Internalisation Score 4 = High internalisation Score 5 - 7 = Severe internalisation
Baseline and through study completion, an average of 3 years.
Patient reported outcome measure - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
Time Frame: Baseline and through study completion, an average of 3 years.
Scored by calculating separate totals for its two subscales: Anxiety (HADS-A) and Depression (HADS-D) Each subscale is scored out of 21 points 0 - 7 = Normal 8 - 10 = Borderline Abnormal / Mild 11 - 21 = Abnormal / Moderate to Severe
Baseline and through study completion, an average of 3 years.
Patient reported outcome measure - Body Image Questionnaire
Time Frame: Baseline, and through study completion, an average of 3 years
Total score ranging from 0 to 18. Score 0 - 8 = Minimal to Mild Concern Score 9 - 14 = Moderate Concern Score 15 - 28 = Severe / Probable Clinical Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Baseline, and through study completion, an average of 3 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Participant opinion on virtual reality environments.
Time Frame: Duration of body image counselling sessions, average of 6 months.
Qualitative data based on discussions and feedback held during group sessions.
Duration of body image counselling sessions, average of 6 months.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2030

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 19, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 25, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 19, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 181865

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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