Giuseppe Riva

• Ph.D.
• Research Director at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Our experience of the body is not direct; rather, it is mediated by perceptual information, influenced by internal information, and recalibrated through stored implicit and explicit body representation (body memory). This paper presents an overview of the current investigations related to body memory by bringing together recent studies from neurops...

Major technology companies are investing significant sums of money in the creation of the metaverse whose main feature will be the fusion between the virtual world and the physical world. To allow this possibility is one of the less obvious features of the metaverse: the metaverse works like our minds. This ability makes the metaverse a significant...

What distinguishes real-world communities from their online counterparts? Social and cognitive neuroscience research on social networks and collective intentionality will be used in the article to answer this question. Physical communities are born in places. And places engage "we-mode" neurobiological and cognitive processes as behavioral synchron...

Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa present alterations in the way they experience their bodies. Body experience results from a multisensory integration process in which information from different sensory domains and spatial reference frames is combined into a coherent percept. Given the critical role of the body in the onset and...

Mental health disorders pose a significant challenge to society. The Bayesian perspective on the mind offers unique insights and tools that may help address a variety of mental health conditions. Psychopathological dysfunctions are often connected to altered predictive and active inference processes, in which cognitive and physiological pathogenic...

The sense of presence-the psychological experience of "being there"-has emerged as a critical phenomenon in Virtual Reality (VR) research. While traditional approaches have predominantly focused on technological features as primary drivers of presence, this paper argues that such a view is fundamentally incomplete. We contend that presence is prima...

Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine (ARCTT – ISSN: 1554-8716) is one of the official journals of the International Association of CyberPsychology, Training, and Rehabilitation (iACToR). The journal is published annually (once per year) by the Interactive Media Institute (IMI) - a 501c3 non profit organization, dedicated to incorporating...

Background Extended reality (XR), encompassing technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, has rapidly gained prominence in health care. However, existing XR research often lacks rigor, proper controls, and standardization. Objective To address this and to enhance the transparency and quality of reporting in early-p...

Sexual harassment (SH) against women is one of the most worldwide problems. To mitigate its incidence, various programs, including virtual reality (VR), have been developed for both prevention and treatment. 360-degree video has emerged as a subfield of VR capable of inducing the body swap illusion and facilitating perspective-taking (PT), as well...

System 0 is a proposed new psychological system that represents the interaction between humans and AI tools, positioned alongside Kahneman's established systems 1 (fast, intuitive thinking) and 2 (slow, analytical thinking). Key Characteristics of System 0: Definition: It represents the outsourcing of cognitive tasks to AI systems that can proce...

Introduction: Prominent eating disorders (EDs) theories identify a critical relationship between body and self. One of the ways to study this relationship is through autobiographical memories (AMs). The present review aimed to evaluate the studies that investigated AM in patients with EDs. Methods: A search of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus data...

Although large language models (LLMs) and other artificial intelligence systems demonstrate cognitive skills similar to humans, such as concept learning and language acquisition, the way they process information fundamentally differs from biological cognition. To better understand these differences, this article introduces Psychomatics, a multidisc...

The multifaceted nature of body experience, encompassing affective, cognitive, and perceptual components, plays a critical role in the development and persistence of conditions such as anorexia nervosa (AN). Recent research attempted to address such disturbance to improve therapeutical effectiveness, using mirror exposure (ME) and body-swapping (BS...

Background Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) has shown promise in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of eating disorders (EDs), providing a dynamic platform for clinical innovation. This scoping review aims to synthesize the recent advancements and applications of IVR in addressing these complex psychological disorders. Methods This review...

Placebo effects are beneficial mind-body outcomes derived from beliefs or expectations, not explainable as the consequence of active medical treatments. These phenomena have long been considered a result of external manipulation, generally obtained with deceptive strategies (e.g., fake pills) or suggestions. Open-label placebos showed promising res...

Recent advances in eXtended Reality (XR) technologies offer potential for higher education by creating interactive and experiential learning environments that enhance student engagement through critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. However, the adoption of XR within educational settings faces significant challenges, including high...

Il videogioco è un fenomeno globale e pervasivo, in costante crescita e trasformazione. Attraverso i videogiochi entriamo in contatto con storie coinvolgenti, proviamo emozioni, apprendiamo ed esercitiamo abilità; inoltre sperimentiamo la nostra identità e sviluppiamo e consolidiamo relazioni. Questo volume offre un’analisi rigorosa e aggiornata d...

Although LLMs and other artificial intelligence systems demonstrate cognitive skills similar to humans, like concept learning and language acquisition, the way they process information fundamentally differs from biological cognition. To better understand these differences this paper introduces Psychomatics, a multidisciplinary framework bridging co...

Understanding altered states of consciousness induced by psychedelic drugs is crucial for advancing our knowledge of conscious perception and developing clinical applications for psychiatric conditions. Recently, technological advances in virtual reality (VR) headsets and deep neural network for generative computer vision have enabled the controlle...

Background and Aims: Research has highlighted impaired autobiographical memory (AM) in patients with substance-use-disorder (SUD). Although this impacts on the maintenance of the disorder, no systematic review has highlighted the characteristics of AM in SUDs. The present review aims to evaluate studies that have examined AM in patients with SUDs,...

Break in presence (BIP) is a concept that refers to that condition in which the person immersed in a virtual reality (VR) environment disengages from it, due to various factors, and focuses more on the real environment. BIP occurs due to certain factors that may be related to errors in the sensory data of the virtual reality environment (VRE). Thes...

Background Egocentric and allocentric spatial memory impairments affect the navigation abilities of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Embodied cognition research hints that specific aids can be implemented into virtual reality (VR) training to enhance spatial memory. Objective In this study, we preliminarily tested ‘ANTaging’, an...

In his book “The Anxious Generation”, Jonathan Haidt suggests that digital technologies are rewiring children's brains and causing a mental illness epidemic. However, as noted by different colleagues, this claim is not supported by scientific evidence. In general, most available data are correlational, and when researchers find causal effects, they...

This article investigates the attribution of mental state (AMS) to an anthropomorphic robot by humans in a strategic interaction. We conducted an experiment in which human subjects are paired with either a human or an anthropomorphic robot to play an iterated Prisoner's Dilemma game, and we tested whether AMS is dependent on the robot "consistency,...

Background Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) syndrome often report navigation difficulties, accompanied by impairments in egocentric and allocentric spatial memory. However, studies have shown that both bodily (e.g., motor commands, proprioception, vestibular information) and visual-cognitive (e.g., maps, directional arrows, attentio...

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a mental health condition marked by reduced food consumption, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body experience. Virtual Reality (VR) based techniques – i.e., Body-Swapping and Mirror Exposure techniques - offer promising avenues for addressing body disturbance in AN, allowing patients to embody virtual bodies vary...

In recent years, many attempts have been to develop new approaches to treat mental disorders using Virtual Reality technology. Because of its properties, Virtual Reality emerged as a suitable tool to study body experience thanks to paradigms such as Body Swapping (VR-BS). Preliminary data revealed that VR-BS was able to assess and treat altered bod...

Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) is a low-cost technique to measure physiological parameters such as heart rate by analyzing videos of a person. There has been growing attention to this technique due to the increased possibilities and demand for running psychological experiments on online platforms. Technological advancements in commercially avai...

Extensive literature elucidated the mechanisms underlying the ability to memorize the positions of objects in space. However, less is known about the impact that objects' features have on spatial memory. The present study aims to investigate differences in egocentric and allocentric object-location memory between hand stimuli depicted in a first-pe...

Purpose of Review We review the first pilot studies applying metaverse-related technologies in psychiatric patients and discuss the rationale for using this complex federation of technologies to treat mental diseases. Concerning previous virtual-reality applications in medical care, metaverse technologies provide the unique opportunity to define, c...

Our physical and psychological well‐being is significantly influenced by how we perceive our body, in addition to our thoughts and emotions associated with it. Dysfunctional body perceptions and attitudes play a key role in the development and maintenance of severe conditions such as eating disorders in both males and females. Given its relevance,...

The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a Virtual Reality (VR) intervention when compared to an integrated multimodal medically managed Inpatient Program (IP) in a cohort of 24 female patients diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa (BN). Psychological measures (i.e., EDI-2) were assessed at three points: pre-treatment, post-treatme...

Spatial navigation (SN) has been reported to be one of the first cognitive domains to be affected in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which occurs as a result of progressive neuropathology involving specific brain areas. Moreover, the epsilon 4 isoform of apolipoprotein-E (APOE-ε4) has been associated with both sporadic and familial late-onset AD, and pat...

Completing cognitive and motor tasks simultaneously requires a high level of cognitive control in terms of executive processes and attentional abilities. Most of the daily activities require a dual-task performance. While walking, for example, it may be necessary to adapt gait to obstacles of the environment or simply participate in a conversation;...

Starting from the escalating global burden of mental health disorders, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the article examines the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize mental health care. With nearly one in five adults facing mental health issues and suicide ranking as a leading cause of death among the young, the strained...

In recent years, several studies have tried to identify technological interventions to promote moral development, since morality cannot evolve through the mere transmission of a predefined value model. On the contrary, people need situations in which they can exercise decision making and develop critical and empathic thinking. The Advanced Human-Te...

Introduction Gait disorders and gait-related cognitive tests were recently linked to future Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) dementia diagnosis in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI). This study aimed to evaluate the predictive power of gait disorders and gait-related neuropsychological performances for future AD diagnosis in aMCI through machine lea...

BACKGROUND Extended reality (XR), encompassing technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, has rapidly gained prominence in health care. However, existing XR research often lacks rigor, proper controls, and standardization. OBJECTIVE To address this and to enhance the transparency and quality of reporting in early-p...

In the past decade, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies have become more and more pervasive, allowing the development of Ambient Intelligence and Context Awareness applications. While the smart home is the chosen scenario for such technologies, a variety of environments could potentially benefit from the synergies between IoT and digital applicat...

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) and Metaverse applications are gaining attention in the educational field, showing potentials in transforming traditional learning methods by supporting active and experiential forms of learning. Our study, conducted within the context of an Italian university course, employs the Extended Expectation-Confirmation Mod...

Introduction Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) often presents challenges related to spatial navigation and retention of spatial information. Navigating space involves intricate integration of bodily and environmental cues. Spatial memory is dependent on two distinct frame of reference systems for organizing this information: egocentric and allocentri...

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) technology provides several educational affordances that make it a valuable tool for learning, especially from a constructivist learning perspective. Combined with the increasing availability of Metaverse social platforms, such as ENGAGE and AltSpace VR, where students and teachers can meet and work together, IVR may...

The metaverse, an emerging digital universe blurring the lines between reality and virtuality, offers a view into a future where human interaction transcends physical boundaries. In this article, we analyze the multidimensional facets of the metaverse, scrutinizing the landscape of challenges and opportunities it offers. The article delves into the...

Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine (ARCTT – ISSN: 1554-8716) is one of the official journals of the International Association of CyberPsychology, Training, and Rehabilitation (iACToR). The journal is published annually (once per year) by the Interactive Media Institute (IMI) - a 501c3 non profit organization, dedicated to incorporating...

Introduction: Prominent eating disorders (EDs) theories identify a critical relationship between body and self. One of the ways to study this relationship is through autobiographical memories (AMs). The present review aims to evaluate the studies that investigated AM in patients with EDs. Methods: A search of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus datab...

Neuroscience research suggests that the enduring educational model of structured instruction, characterized by a single teacher imparting knowledge to a group of students in a physical setting, is deeply rooted in the cognitive architecture of our brains. This model relies on three foundational pillars that shape the educational experience: A dedic...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force inmedicine, provoking both awe and apprehension in clinicians and patients. In fact,the challenges posed by medical AI extend beyond mere technological hiccups; theydelve into the very core of ethics and human decision-making. This paper delvesinto the intricate dichotomy between th...

Background and Objectives: Emotional eating (EE), or eating in response to negative emotions or stress, can be understood as a manifestation of difficulties regulating emotions among individuals with eating disorders. To date, many virtual reality treatments for eating disorders have focused on body image or exposure methods and have not exclusivel...

Starting from the escalating global burden of mental health disorders, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the article examines the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize mental health care. With nearly one in five adults facing mental health issues and suicide ranking as a leading cause of death among the young, the strained...

Over the last decades, theoretical perspectives in the interdisciplinary field of the affective sciences have proliferated rather than converged due to differing assumptions about what human affective phenomena are and how they work. These metaphysical and mechanistic assumptions, shaped by academic context and values, have dictated affective const...

Emotional eating (EE) can be understood as a manifestation of difficulties with emotion regulation (ER) among individuals with eating disorders. Existing interventions do not always successfully treat EE. We developed a novel ER intervention based upon virtual reality to improve EE among adults with an eating disorder diagnosis. The design pivoted...

We present a novel, non-invasive stimulation technique called Sonoception that utilizes synthetic auditory frequencies at 6Hz and 2Hz to activate respectively the left and right insula and, in turn, produce measurable neural and behavioral effects. We conducted three exploratory studies to test if and how Sonoception could modulate proxies of inter...

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This study explores adolescents’ moral judgments regarding decisions made by humans and robots, using variations of the Trolley Dilemma. In scenarios where humans or robots decide between sacrificing one human to save five robots or vice versa, adolescents’ judgments were tested. Results indicate that adolescents generally evaluate human and roboti...

This work aims to present the first step of a creation of an instrument to assess memory deficits responding to the needs imposed by the inability to access clinical care, such as physical or geographical constraints or still limitations imposed during the pandemic era. The older population, who would benefit from these services, may be at risk as...

BACKGROUND Cognitive-motor dual-task (CMDT) is defined as the parallel processing of motor (eg, gait) and cognitive (eg, executive functions) activities and is an essential ability in daily life. Older adults living with frailty, chronic conditions (eg, neurodegenerative diseases), or multimorbidity pay high costs during CMDT. This can have serious...

Background: Increasing research suggests that gait abnormalities can be a risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Notably, there is growing evidence highlighting this risk factor in individuals with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), however further studies are needed. The aim of this study is to analyze cognitive tests results and brain...

Body Self-Consciousness (BSC) is based on a multisensory integration (MSI) process, in which bodily signals and information entering the space immediately surrounding the body-the Peripersonal Space (PPS)-are integrated. The PPS contributes to the development of self-presentation and plays a critical role in shaping how people interact with the sur...

Illusions that create a sense of ownership over a virtual body have been widely used to investigate the characteristics of our bodily experience. Despite the great potential of 360-degree videos to implement full-body ownership illusion, research is in its early stages, and no validated tools—neither commercial nor free—are available for the scient...

Recent research has investigated the potential of psychedelic substances in treating various neurological and psychiatric disorders. In particular, there has been a growth in studies concerning the intersection of psychedelics, Virtual Reality (VR), and Cognitive Flexibility (CF). Indeed, the use of immersive technology allows the simulation of the...

Background Virtual reality (VR) is helpful for the management of stress and anxiety. However, current interventions have limitations related to location (ie, therapist’s office or hospitals) and content (ie, virtual experiences only for relaxation). Objective This randomized pilot trial aims to investigate the efficacy and acceptability of a brief...

Affective computing is a rapidly growing field that aims to understand human emotions through Artificial Intelligence. One of the most promising ways to achieve this goal is the use of physiological data (e.g. electrocardiogram - ECG) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to classify affective states. ECG correlates, such as Heart Rate Variability (...

EXecutive-functions Innovative Tool 360° (EXIT 360°) is an original 360° instrument for an ecologically valid and multicomponent evaluation of executive functioning. This work aimed to test the diagnostic efficacy of EXIT 360° in distinguishing executive functioning between healthy controls (HC) and patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PwPD), a neuro...

Background: Cognitive-motor dual-task (CMDT) is defined as the parallel processing of motor (eg, gait) and cognitive (eg, executive functions) activities and is an essential ability in daily life. Older adults living with frailty, chronic conditions (eg, neurodegenerative diseases), or multimorbidity pay high costs during CMDT. This can have serio...

Space can be used as a metaphor to describe semantic and perceptual similarity. Research has shown that similarity and spatial information can influence each other. On the one hand, similarity entails spatial closeness; on the other hand, proximity leads to similarity judgment. This spatial information can be stored in declarative memory and measur...

Our lives have drastically changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information and communications technologies (ICTs) have replaced other media as the primary means of work, communication, expression, and entertainment throughout this time. As society's reliance on technology increases throughout and possibly after the pandemic, it is critical to ful...

Growing evidence has revealed the crucial role of motor simulation and spatial perspective-taking in action language. However, there is still a lack of understanding of how motor and spatial processes interact when there are multiple actors involved, and if embodied processes are consistent across different cultures. To address this gap, we examine...