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 |
| Topics | PTSD |
| 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).
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
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