An EEG-Based Positive Feedback Mechanism for VR Mindfulness Meditation to Improve Emotion Regulation
Qing Wang, Fang Liu, Baorong Yang, Zheyuan Yang, Jingyang Huang, Yuxin Xu, Chengcheng Zheng, Yingying She, Hanshu Cai, Fuze Tian
IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1109/tcss.2025.3557711 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Intervention | EEG-based positive feedback mechanism for VR mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | An EEG-based positive feedback mechanism for VR mindfulness meditation significantly increases physiological measures and self-reported relaxation compared to interventions without feedback. |
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) mindfulness meditation has emerged as a prominent emotion regulation strategy in recent years. Current research often seeks to enhance meditation effectiveness through biofeedback and overlooks the trajectory of emotional changes and the changing needs during regulation. In this study, we propose an electroencephalography (EEG)–based positive feedback mechanism for VR mindfulness meditation aimed at optimizing the effects of emotion regulation. This mechanism consists of three modules: 1) EEG-based emotional state computation; 2) process-based relaxation assessment; and 3) adaptive positive decision feedback. Collectively, these components form a computation-assessment-feedback closed-loop system that objectively quantifies emotions while enabling real-time decision adjustments based on emotional trends, thereby enhancing user engagement and emotion regulation efficacy through personalized feedback. The contribution of the proposed feedback mechanism was evaluated through a randomized controlled trial (N = 36). The results indicated that both physiological measures and self-reported relaxation significantly increased when compared to interventions without feedback. These findings validate that the EEG-based positive feedback mechanism effectively enhances emotion regulation while providing additional insights into improving both the engagement and effectiveness within digital mental health interventions.
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 2
- Human-Computer Co-Regulation: A Review of Biofeedback for Meditative Practice Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies September 30, 2026
- Exploring the Impact of Sensory Conflict on State Mindfulness in VR Meditation Training International Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems April 13, 2026
Cites 11
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Stress Reduction through Mindfulness Meditation Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics February 18, 2010
- Meditation Lowers Stress and Supports Forgiveness Among College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of American College Health March 1, 2008
- Conscious, Pre-Conscious and Unconscious Mechanisms in Emotional Behaviour. Some Applications to the Mindfulness Approach with Wearable Devices Applied Sciences December 8, 2017
- A Stress Reduction Program Adapted for the Work Environment: A Randomized Controlled Trial With a Follow-Up Frontiers in Psychology May 9, 2018
and 6 more in the library