Physiological and psychological health effects of a mobile VR-based mindfulness breathing meditation with integrated biofeedback: a replication study
Alissa Wieczorek, Franziska Pintz, Matthias Wagner
Virtual Reality September 15, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s10055-025-01235-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subject design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 45 |
| Population | Adults (mean age 22.9 years; 30 men, 15 women) |
| Intervention | VR-based mindfulness breathing meditation with biofeedback |
| Duration | Six consecutive days of training (average session 8 minutes 52 seconds); follow-up at 1 week and 1 month post-intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Diaphragmatic breathing Biofeedback Replication statistics Psychophysiology Burnout Respiratory rate Clinical psychology Intervention counseling Breathing exercises Applied psychology Heart rate variability Relaxation psychology Mental health Psychotherapist Guided imagery Health care |
| Key points | VR-based mindfulness breathing meditation with biofeedback improved diaphragmatic breathing, breathing awareness, heart and respiratory rates, momentary relaxation, burnout symptoms, and relaxation-related self-efficacy, with benefits persisting up to one month post-intervention. |
Abstract
Abstract Mindfulness, characterized by a non-judgmental present-moment awareness, has been empirically associated with numerous psychological and physiological health benefits. Advances in technology, particularly immersive virtual reality (VR) using head-mounted displays, provide interactive and engaging environments that enhance mindfulness practices. This study builds on a primary investigation to explore the integration of a mobile VR-based mindfulness breathing meditation with biofeedback and its effects on physiological and psychological health. This replication study used a within-subject design, with 45 participants ( M ag e = 22.9 years; 30 men, 15 women) completing six consecutive days of supervised self-guided VR-based training ( M session = 8 min 52 s). Physiological measures such as breathing parameters, heart and respiratory rates and heart rate variability were combined with psychological measures including momentary relaxation, burnout symptoms and relaxation-related self-efficacy. Additional health parameters, objective instruments and measurement points were incorporated into the study design to offer a more comprehensive view of participants’ health status as well as capturing both short-term and medium-term effects. Our study showed positive effects on health concerning diaphragmatic breathing, breathing awareness, heart and respiratory rates, momentary relaxation, burnout symptoms and relaxation-related self-efficacy, with several benefits persisting not only short- but also medium-term (1-week/1-month post-intervention). Moreover, the feasibility of the VR intervention was confirmed through high user satisfaction. This study was able to demonstrate positive health effects of VR-based mindfulness breathing meditation with integrated biofeedback, which emphasizes the importance of replication studies. Future research should focus on different target groups in terms of external validity and use different VR protocols to more accurately define the dose-response relationship.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cites 18
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- What Do We Really Know About Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction? Psychosomatic Medicine 2002
- Short-term autonomic and cardiovascular effects of mindfulness body scan meditation Annals of Behavioral Medicine November 15, 2006
- Effects of Brief and Sham Mindfulness Meditation on Mood and Cardiovascular Variables The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine July 28, 2010
- Slower respiration rate is associated with higher self-reported well-being after wellness training Scientific Reports September 24, 2023
and 13 more in the library