Measuring Altered States of Consciousness in Virtual Reality: A Systematic Analysis of Assessment Methods
Maria Laura Mele, Hans Rutrecht
HCI International 2025 – Late Breaking Papers 2026 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-12808-9_8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Keywords | Virtual reality vr Assessment methods |
| Key findings | VR-induced altered states of consciousness can be systematically evaluated through multimodal techniques, but methodological inconsistencies and lack of standardization across studies hinder replicable assessment. |
Abstract
The intersection of Virtual Reality (VR) and Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) represents a notable research domain in experimental and clinical contexts, highlighting the growing interest in how immersive technologies can induce, modulate, and assess non-ordinary cognitive and emotional states. This study examines literature from 2014 to 2024, providing a review of the methodological frameworks and evaluation strategies used in examining VR-induced ASCs. Four primary methodological fields have been analyzed: (1) clinical and therapeutic research, (2) cognitive science and neurophysiology, (3) immersive technology and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and (4) psychological and phenomenological evaluation. Research indicates that VR-mediated ASCs can be systematically evaluated through multimodal techniques. The review reveals significant methodological inconsistencies, highlighting the lack of standardization in experimental designs, variability in measurement tools, and limited interdisciplinary integration. The review highlights the need for a standardized methodological framework that allows for replicable assessment of VR induced ASCs.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The role of non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by mind-body practices in mental health illness. | 2023 | Systematic review | |
| Anomalous Cognition: An Umbrella Review of the Meta-Analytic Evidence | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| The Altered States of Consciousness in Transpersonal Approach Psychotherapy: Systematic Review and Guidelines for Research and Clinical Practice. Adults, mostly women | 2019 | Systematic review | n = 14 |
| The Induction of Dissociative States: A Meta-Analysis. Individuals from clinical and nonclinical samples | 2025 | Meta-analysis | n = 6,692 |
| Ketamine-induced altered states of consciousness: a systematic review of implications for therapeutic outcomes in psychiatric practices. Patients with mood disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder), substance... | 2024 | Systematic review | n = 29 |
Citations in the library
Cites 43
- The Brain's Default Mode Network Annual Review of Neuroscience May 4, 2015
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- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Investigating the phenomenological matrix of mindfulness-related practices from a neurocognitive perspective. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Psychometric Evaluation of the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV) PLoS One August 31, 2010
and 38 more in the library