At-Home Virtual Reality Mindfulness for Insomnia: a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint) DOI
Rita Hitching, Murielle G. Kluge, Frederick R. Walker

et al.

Published: May 7, 2025

BACKGROUND Insomnia is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition, yet access to treatments remains limited expensive. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) offer promising alternative, but traditional delivery methods often fail engage participants effectively. Building on the potential of MBIs, virtual reality (VR) offers immersive customizable experiences that may enhance engagement therapeutic impact. VR can reduce cognitive arousal—a core mechanism insomnia—and facilitate mindfulness training. However, feasibility at-home for insomnia underexplored. OBJECTIVE To address this gap, study aimed evaluate 4-week VR-delivered intervention (VRmind) as treatment insomnia. METHODS investigate this, we conducted two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (ANZCTRN12623000892617) with 60 adults (mean age = 45.1 ± 14.9 years) experiencing Participants were (2:1) either (VRmind, n=40) using an Oculus Quest 2 headset or active comparator condition (Control, n=20) watching relaxing imagery music smart device. The was delivered twice weekly over 4 consecutive weeks; each session approximately 20 minutes. Primary outcomes included indicators: engagement, adherence (≥6 sessions completed), acceptability (Multi-Dimensional Treatment Satisfaction Measure, MDTSM > 2). Secondary changes in severity (ISI), sleep quality (PSQI), mood anxiety (DASS-21), rumination (RRS), negative thoughts (ATQ-N), stress-related (FIRST), awareness (MAAS). Outcome measures collected at baseline, weeks 2, 4, 8. RESULTS found be feasible, high adherence, completion. target completion rate exceeded, 83% (33/40) VRmind completed compared 50% (10/20) Control condition. mean 7.6 (SD 2.78) 4.5 (SD3.35) Control. At-home considered more acceptable than video-based rated 2) by 74% participants, 55% Controls. safe intervention, no serious adverse events reported, 36% reported minor discomforts (e.g., fit issues, transient dizziness). Beyond safety, demonstrated greater reduction –7.1 ISI points) controls –4.1 points). CONCLUSIONS shown acceptable, engaging people insomnia, rates preliminary efficacy. Taken together, these findings support scalability clinical novel approach care. Further investigation larger-scale trials objective warranted confirm long-term benefits. CLINICALTRIAL ANZCTRN12623000892617

Language: Английский

Finding Peace in Pixels: Exploring the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Virtual Nature for Young Adults’ Mental Well-Being DOI Open Access
Ka Po Wong, Songping Wu, Haoneng Lin

et al.

Healthcare, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(8), P. 895 - 895

Published: April 14, 2025

Background: This investigation examines the phenomenological dimensions of young adults’ engagement with virtual natural environments for psychological stress amelioration through rigorous thematic analysis. Contemporary epidemiological data reveal a concerning prevalence among adults aged 18 to 29 years, approximately 30% reporting moderate severe manifestations. Despite reality (VR)’s emergence as promising modality mental well-being interventions, significant lacuna exists regarding qualitative understanding these immersive experiences. Methods: Through semi-structured interviews 35 following four-week VR nature intervention, we constructed conceptual framework comprising five interconnected strata: experience, process, context, and outcome. Results: Our analysis illuminated intricate bidirectional relationships sensory elements, emotional responses, immersion depth, interactive affordances, post-session effects, development, implementation challenges, individual variability, comparative efficacy. The findings demonstrate congruence both Attention Restoration Theory Stress Recovery while necessitating consideration technology-specific mediators. Notably, identified “stress barrier” phenomenon temporarily inhibited intrusive cognitions, suggesting therapeutic mechanisms. Pronounced heterogeneity in environmental preferences psychophysiological responsiveness underscores imperative personalized strategies. Conclusions: These insights provide substantive guidance applications across therapeutic, occupational, educational domains, potentially augmenting our repertoire addressing stress-related sequelae contemporary society.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
At-Home Virtual Reality Mindfulness for Insomnia: a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint) DOI
Rita Hitching, Murielle G. Kluge, Frederick R. Walker

et al.

Published: May 7, 2025

BACKGROUND Insomnia is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition, yet access to treatments remains limited expensive. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) offer promising alternative, but traditional delivery methods often fail engage participants effectively. Building on the potential of MBIs, virtual reality (VR) offers immersive customizable experiences that may enhance engagement therapeutic impact. VR can reduce cognitive arousal—a core mechanism insomnia—and facilitate mindfulness training. However, feasibility at-home for insomnia underexplored. OBJECTIVE To address this gap, study aimed evaluate 4-week VR-delivered intervention (VRmind) as treatment insomnia. METHODS investigate this, we conducted two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (ANZCTRN12623000892617) with 60 adults (mean age = 45.1 ± 14.9 years) experiencing Participants were (2:1) either (VRmind, n=40) using an Oculus Quest 2 headset or active comparator condition (Control, n=20) watching relaxing imagery music smart device. The was delivered twice weekly over 4 consecutive weeks; each session approximately 20 minutes. Primary outcomes included indicators: engagement, adherence (≥6 sessions completed), acceptability (Multi-Dimensional Treatment Satisfaction Measure, MDTSM > 2). Secondary changes in severity (ISI), sleep quality (PSQI), mood anxiety (DASS-21), rumination (RRS), negative thoughts (ATQ-N), stress-related (FIRST), awareness (MAAS). Outcome measures collected at baseline, weeks 2, 4, 8. RESULTS found be feasible, high adherence, completion. target completion rate exceeded, 83% (33/40) VRmind completed compared 50% (10/20) Control condition. mean 7.6 (SD 2.78) 4.5 (SD3.35) Control. At-home considered more acceptable than video-based rated 2) by 74% participants, 55% Controls. safe intervention, no serious adverse events reported, 36% reported minor discomforts (e.g., fit issues, transient dizziness). Beyond safety, demonstrated greater reduction –7.1 ISI points) controls –4.1 points). CONCLUSIONS shown acceptable, engaging people insomnia, rates preliminary efficacy. Taken together, these findings support scalability clinical novel approach care. Further investigation larger-scale trials objective warranted confirm long-term benefits. CLINICALTRIAL ANZCTRN12623000892617

Language: Английский

Citations

0