Meditating in virtual reality: Proof-of-concept intervention for posttraumatic stress.
Divya Mistry, Jenney Zhu, Paul Tremblay, Christine Wekerle, Ruth A. Lanius, Rakesh Jetly, Paul Frewen
Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy November 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1037/tra0000959 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-group mixed-methods study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 96 |
| Population | Young adults varying in PTSD symptoms |
| Interventions | VR-guided meditation non-VR-guided meditation |
| Key points | VR-guided meditation increased positive affect and perceived satisfaction-credibility compared to non-VR meditation primarily when practiced first. |
Abstract
Objective: We investigate the potential therapeutic application of virtual reality (VR) technology as an aid to meditation practice among persons varying in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Method: In this within-group mixed-methods study, 96 young adults practiced both VR- and non-VR-guided meditations and reported on their experience of positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), other meditative experiences and perceived satisfaction-credibility of each meditation.
Results: Participants reported more PA and greater perceived satisfaction-credibility following the VR as compared to non-VR-guided meditations primarily when the VR meditation was practiced first, before the non-VR meditation, as opposed to vice versa. The experience of NA during meditation practice was infrequent, although persons with increased PTSD symptoms reported increased distress during both VR and non-VR meditation.
Conclusions: Further study of therapeutic applications of VR as an aid to meditation practice among people with PTSD symptoms is warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).