VRZM: Exploring the Psycho-physiological Benefits of Zen Meditation in Immersive Environments
Ajoy Kumar, Sahil Sankhyan, Kirti Tripathi, Akash K. Rao, Arnav Bhavsar, Varun Dutt
2024 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct October 21, 2024 DOI: 10.1109/ismar-adjunct64951.2024.00063 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Participants divided into four groups of 20 each |
| Interventions | VR-based Zen meditation audio-based Zen meditation |
| Topics | Buddhism Meditation |
| Key findings | VR-based Zen meditation significantly reduced stress levels and increased parasympathetic activity compared to a control group. |
Abstract
Despite the increasing fascination with employing virtual reality (VR) for mental health treatments, the exploration of meditation within VR environments remains significantly underexplored. Additionally, a research gap remains on the impacts of VR-enabled Zen meditation on stress alleviation and physiological wellness. This study aims to address these gaps by examining the impact of VR-based Zen meditation on stress levels. The study involved 80 participants divided into four groups: first group engaging in VR-based Zen meditation (VRZM; N=20), second group engaging in virtual environment without the guided meditation audio (VR; N=20), third group engaging in audio-based Zen meditation (ZM; N=20) and a control group (Control; N=20) receiving no intervention. The psychological measures were computed via Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS 21) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The physiological measures were computed via heart rate variability (HRV) from all groups before and after the intervention and were analysed to determine the potential of VRZM as a stress management tool. The results demonstrate that the VRZM group experienced significant reductions in stress levels and increased parasympathetic activity, as measured by HRV, compared to the control group. Also, the DASS-21 and GAD-7 scores were significantly lower in VRZM compared to the control group after the intervention compared to these scores before the intervention. These findings suggest VRZM’s transformative potential for improving mental and physiological well-being.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on buddhism, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 14
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Zen Meditation for Depression, Anxiety, Pain, and Psychological Distress Journal of Psychiatric Practice July 1, 2012
- Individual Trait Anxiety Levels Characterizing the Properties of Zen Meditation Neuropsychobiology 2004
- Silent illumination: a study on Chan (Zen) meditation, anxiety, and musical performance quality Psychology of Music October 10, 2007
- Effect of Mindfulness Breathing Meditation on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial among University Students Healthcare December 22, 2022
- Physiological Responses to Clicks during Zen, Yoga, and TM Meditation Psychophysiology November 1, 1981
and 9 more in the library