Inducing dissociative states: A (re)view from the laboratory
Fiona Grace Sleight, Charlie W. McDonald, Richard E. Mattson, Steven Jay Lynn
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review |
|---|---|
| Interventions | script-driven imagery mirror- or eye-to-eye gazing virtual or augmented reality hypnosis staring audio photic stimulation Velten induction Trier Social Stress Test sleep deprivation cold pressor test aversive film/audio |
| Key findings | The review identifies 17 laboratory methods for inducing dissociative states across 58 included articles, spanning imagery, gazing, virtual reality, hypnosis, stress, sleep deprivation, and aversive stimuli. The authors argue these induction methods can advance understanding of the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of dissociation and dissociative disorders, while noting strengths and limitations of the current literature. |
Abstract
Laboratory-based inductions of dissociative states promise to facilitate understanding of the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of dissociation and dissociative disorders. In the present scoping review, we identified articles via a systematic search of PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PubMed, and Google Scholar, resulting in 58 articles that met a priori inclusion criteria. We identified 17 methods for inducing dissociation, including script-driven imagery; mirror- or eye-to-eye gazing; virtual or augmented reality; hypnosis; staring; audio photic stimulation; Velten induction; the Trier Social Stress Test; sleep deprivation; the cold pressor test; and aversive film/audio. We provide background information regarding each induction method and detail characteristics of studies that met inclusion criteria. We discuss strengths and limitations of the current literature and provide directions and recommendations for future research.