Immersive virtual reality or computerised mindfulness meditation for improving mood? Preliminary efficacy from a pilot randomised trial

Costina-Ruxandra  Poetar; Nathan Bradley; Alexandra Voinescu

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1157469

Immersive virtual reality or computerised mindfulness meditation for improving mood? Preliminary efficacy from a pilot randomised trial

Costina-Ruxandra Poetar, Nathan Bradley, Alexandra Voinescu

Babeş-Bolyai University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Citations (SciVal)

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Abstract

Introduction: Mindfulness interventions are effective in improving mood, reducing stress, and increasing quality of life. New developments in technology bring important channels to deliver mindfulness interventions that can increase accessibility, such as the Internet, computerised interventions, mobile apps and recently, virtual reality (VR). The aim of the present study is to enhance our current understanding of the use of VR in mindfulness, namely we examined in a pilot randomised trial the efficacy of an immersive VR-based mindfulness approach compared to an active control (computerised-based mindfulness meditation) on improving mood. A secondary objective was to examine whether VR use resulted in simulator sickness which could affect user engagement.

Methods: Forty-seven (Mage = 29.22 years) healthy participants were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group.

Results: A mixed 2X3 ANOVA showed a significant Time effect. Namely, negative emotions were reduced in both groups, with non-significant differences between groups. For positive emotions, on the other hand, our results showed no significant impact. Simulator sickness in VR was not present, according to t-test, making VR a safe delivery method.

Discussion: Future research should investigate VR dosage and combine VR with other interventions (e.g., blended with face-to-face mindfulness interventions, with Internet-delivered interventions).

Original language	English
Article number	1157469
Pages (from-to)	1-9
Number of pages	9
Journal	Frontiers in Psychology
Volume	14
Early online date	25 Oct 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1157469
Publication status	Published - 25 Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

Data availability statement
The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Acknowledgments
We thank Eladia Guereca-Adair for their important assistance with data collection as the current paper was part of their Masters dissertations at the MSc Applied Clinical Psychology at the University of Bath, United Kingdom. We also thank the University of Bath personnel, technician Nathan Taylor, for his valuable assistance with the laboratory and experimental set-up.

Keywords

computer
mindfulness meditation
mood
simulator sickness
virtual reality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Psychology

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Cite this

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title = "Immersive virtual reality or computerised mindfulness meditation for improving mood? Preliminary efficacy from a pilot randomised trial",

abstract = "Introduction: Mindfulness interventions are effective in improving mood, reducing stress, and increasing quality of life. New developments in technology bring important channels to deliver mindfulness interventions that can increase accessibility, such as the Internet, computerised interventions, mobile apps and recently, virtual reality (VR). The aim of the present study is to enhance our current understanding of the use of VR in mindfulness, namely we examined in a pilot randomised trial the efficacy of an immersive VR-based mindfulness approach compared to an active control (computerised-based mindfulness meditation) on improving mood. A secondary objective was to examine whether VR use resulted in simulator sickness which could affect user engagement.Methods: Forty-seven (Mage = 29.22 years) healthy participants were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group.Results: A mixed 2X3 ANOVA showed a significant Time effect. Namely, negative emotions were reduced in both groups, with non-significant differences between groups. For positive emotions, on the other hand, our results showed no significant impact. Simulator sickness in VR was not present, according to t-test, making VR a safe delivery method.Discussion: Future research should investigate VR dosage and combine VR with other interventions (e.g., blended with face-to-face mindfulness interventions, with Internet-delivered interventions).",

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Immersive virtual reality or computerised mindfulness meditation for improving mood? Preliminary efficacy from a pilot randomised trial

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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