Virtual reality-supported mindfulness practice in relieving stress in postgraduate students: a pilot randomised controlled trial.
Yishu Qi, Cho Lee Wong, Wenqian Zhao, Shishuang Zhou, Youran Liu, Huiyuan Li
BMC Psychology August 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-026-05291-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 45 |
| Population | Full-time postgraduate students |
| Intervention | VR-based mindfulness intervention |
| Dose | 15-minute audio-guided mindful practice twice a week for two weeks; VR-based mindfulness intervention twice weekly for two weeks |
| Duration | Two-week intervention; post-intervention assessment |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Randomised controlled trial Stress Students Virtual reality |
| Registration | NCT05948280 |
| Key findings | Both VR-based and audio-guided mindfulness groups showed significant reductions in perceived stress compared with a control group at post-intervention (g = -0.42 and -0.44), along with significant reductions in total mood disturbance and negative mood. No significant between-group differences were found on total mindfulness scores. The authors conclude the VR intervention is feasible and potentially effective, recommending larger trials with longer follow-up. |
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness intervention may be a potentially effective approach for stress relief in postgraduate students. This pilot study examined the preliminary effects of a VR-based mindfulness intervention on stress reduction among postgraduate students, in comparison with a conventional mindfulness intervention and a control condition. In addition, the study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and user experience associated with delivering mindfulness through VR technology. A three-arm, assessor-blinded pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted. Forty-five full-time postgraduate students were randomly assigned (n = 15 per group) to a mindfulness group (15-minute audio-guided mindful practice twice a week for two weeks), a VR mindfulness group (VR-based mindfulness intervention twice weekly for two weeks), or a control group. The feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of VR-based mindfulness intervention on relieving stress were examined. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in the VR mindfulness group to explore their experiences following the intervention. This pilot study supported the feasibility of VR-based mindfulness intervention with satisfactory recruitment (54.88%), attrition (4.44%), and intervention completion (95.56%) rates. Participants in both the VR-based mindfulness group (β = -0.422, 95%CI: -0.804 to -0.039, p = 0.031, g = -0.42) and the mindfulness group (β = -0.563, 95%CI: -1.052 to -0.074, p = 0.024, g = -0.44) exhibited significant reductions in perceived stress scores compared to the control group at post-intervention. Additionally, significant reductions on total mood disturbance and negative mood were observed in both VR-based mindfulness group (β = -16.553, 95%CI: -28.800 to -4.306, p = 0.008, g = -0.52; β = -22.159, 95%CI: -40.827 to -3.491, p = 0.020, g = -0.52) and mindfulness groups (β = -16.004, 95%CI: -30.500 to -1.509, p = 0.030, g = -0.59; β = -23.029, 95%CI: -45.307 to -0.752, p = 0.043, g = -0.53). However, no statistically significant differences between groups were found in the total scores of mindfulness (p > 0.05). This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility and potentially preliminary effectiveness of VR-based mindfulness intervention for postgraduate students. Further multi-centre randomised controlled trials with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are recommended to ascertain the effects of VR-based mindfulness intervention for stress relief among postgraduate students. This study has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05948280) on 17th July 2023.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |