A brief virtual reality-based mindfulness intervention can improve olfactory perception while reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in university students
Jingni Ma, Hao-Ke Li, Chuoyan Liang, Siqi Li, Ziliang Liu, Chen Qu
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications March 3, 2025 DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-04584-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 49 |
| Population | University students with depression and anxiety symptoms (mean age 22.06, 10 males) |
| Intervention | VR-based mindfulness intervention |
| Duration | Tested at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one-week follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Education |
| Key findings | The intervention showed immediate and significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms and improvements in mindfulness, olfactory perception, chemosensory function, and sensory imagery, with these effects persisting for one week. The authors present the findings as preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of brief VR-based mindfulness interventions for university students. |
Abstract
With universities increasingly offering mindfulness-based interventions to enhance students’ mental health conditions and alleviate the strain on overwhelmed psychological services, this study aimed to investigate the potential effectiveness of a brief VR-based mindfulness intervention for university students with depression and anxiety symptoms. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the present study assessed whether the intervention could enhance students’ mindfulness, olfactory perception, and chemosensory while reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. Forty-nine university students (M = 22.06, 10 males) participated in this quasi-experimental study and were tested at three time points: T1 (pre-intervention), T2 (post-intervention), and T3 (follow-up). The intervention immersed participants in virtual environments featuring natural elements and integrated mindfulness practices. The Eligible participants displayed anxiety symptoms while engaged in the study. We also conducted person-to-person interviews and performed a thematic analysis to understand the participants’ insights and feedback regarding the intervention, aiming to inform and improve the design of subsequent interventions. The findings indicated that the intervention showed an immediate and significant impact on reducing anxiety and depression symptoms while improving mindfulness, olfactory perception, chemosensory, and sensory image. Notably, this reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms persisted for one week. Furthermore, the intervention showed the potential to enhance mindfulness and sensory imagery, with these substantial effects also enduring for one week. Qualitative results further supported the findings from the interviews. This study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of brief VR-based mindfulness interventions in alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms among university students.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Evaluating a virtual reality–delivered mindfulness intervention for anxiety: a mixed-methods study in real-world community and school settings Frontiers in Psychiatry December 11, 2025
- Understanding the role of rhythm: Effects of VR-based breathing meditation on anxiety, stress, and mindfulness Computers in Human Behavior Reports June 16, 2026
- Brief Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality Mindfulness Breathing Exercise for Emotional Well-Being and Cognitive Functions in University Students: Within-Subjects Experimental Design Study JMIR XR and spatial computing March 25, 2026
- Pre–Post Changes Associated with Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness in Reducing Work-Related Stress Among Corporate Employees Digital April 25, 2026
- AI-Supported Mindfulness Interventions Advances in Computational Intelligence and Robotics March 26, 2026
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