Virtual reality vs. imagery: comparing approaches in guided meditation
Frontiers in Psychology November 25, 2024 Minkyung Jo, Eunha Kim, Jaeyeon Lee
Both virtual reality (VR)-based and traditional imagery-based guided meditation significantly reduced heart rate, galvanic skin response, and negative affect among South Korean adults. No significant differences in these stress measures emerged between the two groups. However, participants in the VR condition reported higher concentration levels during meditation, especially those new to meditation. Qualitative feedback indicated VR-based meditation was more effective at inducing positive emotions like calmness and enjoyment. VR-guided meditation shows promise for enhancing concentration, particularly for novice meditators.