Applying Virtual Reality in Mindfulness Exercises for Emotion Regulation and Mental Health Among Inpatients With Behavioral Issues: A Feasibility Study.
American Journal of Health Promotion June 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/08901171251391600 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-arm feasibility study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | Psychiatric hospital inpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder in the Midwestern United States |
| Intervention | VR meditation exercises |
| Duration | 10 weeks |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Emotion regulation Mindfulness exercise Virtual reality |
| Key points | After 10 weeks of VR meditation exercises, physiological coherence increased significantly, and depression and anxiety scores decreased. |
Abstract
PurposeThis study evaluated the feasibility of incorporating Virtual Reality (VR) technology into meditation exercises and using Electrocardiogram (ECG) devices for emotion regulation assessment. It also explored changes in emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety among participants.DesignA single-arm feasibility study.SubjectsPsychiatric hospital inpatients diagnosed by physicians with major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder in the Midwestern United States (n = 25).InterventionVR meditation exercises 3 times weekly for 10 weeks.MeasuresPhysiological coherence, as an indicator of regulated emotional state, was assessed using ECGs, while depression and anxiety were measured through survey questionnaires.AnalysisPaired t-tests were employed to analyze changes in emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety.ResultsAfter 10 weeks, significant increases were observed in physiological coherence, suggesting more regulated emotional states (M = -35.25, SD = 22.25, 95% CI [-40.63, -29.86], Cohen's d = -1.58). Reductions were also noted in depression (M = 3.48, SD = 3.29, 95% CI [1.84, 7.51], Cohen's d = 1.06) and anxiety (M = 3.12, SD = 4.03, 95% CI [1.45, 4.78], Cohen's d = 0.77).ConclusionsVR is a feasible technology for meditation exercises, with observed associations with more stable emotional states, and reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, while the application of ECG-based assessment further addresses methodological shortfalls in this population. These results highlight the potential of applying VR technology in mindfulness exercises to leverage inherent digital healthcare strengths, such as user-centered care and tailored treatment.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for recurrent depression: A translational research study with 2-year follow-up Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry March 4, 2014
- The Perspective of Psychological Action Mechanism of Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness Meditation Blurs the Transparent Boundary Between the Unconscious and the Conscious Mind Psychiatry Investigation May 25, 2023
- Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the mood benefits of meditation: A narrative review. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology March 10, 2021
- Yoga- and meditation-based lifestyle intervention increases neuroplasticity and reduces severity of major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 2018
- Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation: Insights from Neurobiological, Psychological, and Clinical Studies Frontiers in Psychology March 6, 2017
and 2 more in the library