The potential of virtual reality for enhancing the efficacy and acceptability of mindfulness training in non-clinical adults: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Virtual Reality September 5, 2025 Marta Modrego-Alarcón, Yolanda López del Hoyo, María Beltrán-ruiz et al. 3 citations
A pilot randomized controlled trial compared a standard mindfulness-based programme (MBP), the same programme enhanced with virtual reality (MBP+VR), and a relaxation control condition in 51 non-clinical adults. All three conditions significantly reduced psychological distress. MBP+VR was more acceptable than relaxation and equally acceptable as MBP alone. MBP+VR outperformed relaxation in reducing psychological distress with a large effect. MBP alone produced greater improvements in depressive symptoms, positive affect, and several facets of mindfulness and self-compassion. MBP+VR improved total mindfulness, the observing facet, and the self-compassion mindfulness subscale. Participants in MBP+VR also showed improvements in state mindfulness and emotional states across VR sessions, reporting an intermediate sense of presence. The authors conclude that further research is warranted.