Inducing dissociative states: A (re)view from the laboratory

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.