Does a 360° VR nature environment augment relaxation during a MBSR breathing meditation?
Saskia Seel, Katja Braun, Anne-Marie Frantz et al.
A randomized controlled trial compared a guided mindfulness breathing meditation delivered via audio-only, a 2D video, or immersive 360° virtual reality (VR). All 100 healthy adults showed relaxation over time—lower heart rate and skin conductance, increased subjective relaxation—but the VR condition provided no additional physiological benefit. VR was rated as more immersive than 2D display. Exploratory analyses found unique interaction effects for sleepiness and heart rate variability in specific groups. The authors suggest immersive VR may not enhance relaxation in mindfulness-experienced, low-stress populations and recommend testing in clinically stressed groups.