Effects of virtual reality guided meditation in older adults: the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Karin Cinalioglu, Paola Lavín, Magnus Bein, Myriam Lesage, Johanna Gruber, Jade Se, Syeda Bukhari, Neeti Sasi, Helen Noble, Marie Andree-Bruneau, Cyrille Launay, Justin J. Sanders, Serge Gauthier, Pedro Rosa, Michael Lifshitz, Bruno J Battistini, Olivier Beauchet, Bassam Khoury, Stephane Bouchard, Pascal Fallavollita, Ipsit Vahia, Soham Rej, Harmehr Sekhon
Frontiers in Psychology 2023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1083219 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older with moderate stress (Perceived Stress Scale score > 14) |
| Intervention | Virtual reality-guided meditation |
| Dose | eight 15-minute sessions |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Older adults Virtual reality |
| Citations | 21 |
| Registration | NCT05315609 |
| Key findings | The study aims to determine whether a VR-guided meditation intervention is feasible and acceptable for older adults and whether it reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. |
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) based meditation has been shown to help increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and depression in younger adults. However, this has not been studied in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) in the older adult population. The aim of this RCT is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VR-guided meditation intervention for community-dwelling older adults and its effect on stress and mental health. We will recruit 30 participants aged ≥ 60 years, whose perceived stress score (PSS) is > 14 (moderate stress), and randomize them 1:1 to the intervention or control waitlist group. The intervention will involve exposure to eight 15-min VR-guided meditation sessions distributed twice weekly for 4-weeks. Two modalities will be offered: in-home and at the hospital. Baseline and post-intervention assessments will evaluate perceived stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and mindfulness skills. Analyses will employ mixed methods repeated ANOVA tests. Qualitative analyses through semi-structured interviews and participant observation will be used to assess participants' experiences. Study outcomes include: (A) feasibility and acceptability compared to a waitlist control (B) stress, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); (C) anxiety, and depression, using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); (D) insomnia, quality of life and mindfulness skills, using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Forms (FFMQ-SF), respectively. We will also measure immersive tendencies, sickness and sense of presence using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Presence Questionnaire (PQ). Virtual reality-guided meditation could be an acceptable, feasible, safe, and cost-effective novel alternative health intervention for improving older adults' mental health.Clinical trial registration: NCT05315609 at https://clinicaltrials.gov.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- The impact of immersive virtual reality meditation for depression and anxiety among inpatients with major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- The application of virtual reality meditation and mind-body exercises among older adults. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- Brief Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality Mindfulness Breathing Exercise for Emotional Well-Being and Cognitive Functions in University Students: Within-Subjects Experimental Design Study JMIR XR and spatial computing March 25, 2026
- Merging Oblivion Meditation: A Daoist method facilitating nondual experience through cosmic integration Archive for the Psychology of Religion January 12, 2026
- VRZM: Exploring the Psycho-physiological Benefits of Zen Meditation in Immersive Environments 2024 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct October 21, 2024
Cites 6
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2015
- Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology Annual Review of Clinical Psychology December 11, 2018
- Understanding How Virtual Reality Can Support Mindfulness Practice: Mixed Methods Study Journal of Medical Internet Research September 6, 2019
- Meditation experts try Virtual Reality Mindfulness: A pilot study evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of Virtual Reality to facilitate mindfulness practice in people attending a Mindfulness conference. PLoS One November 22, 2017
and 1 more in the library