Effectiveness of metaverse-based family sculpture and meditation in reducing psychological distress.
Sang Hyun Yoo, Eun Jin Choi, Hong Sik Yang
Frontiers in Psychology 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1649129 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled intervention study with five groups (including no-intervention and placebo) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 79 |
| Population | Participants assigned to family sculpture, meditation, combined, no-intervention, and placebo groups |
| Interventions | Metaverse-based family sculpture technique Meditation Combined meditation and family sculpture |
| Measures | Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Perceived Stress Scale |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Digital psychotherapy Meta-counseling Psychological distress Therapeutic intervention |
| Key points | The combined meditation and family sculpture group showed the largest reductions across all outcome measures, which the authors describe as a synergistic effect. Family sculpture alone reduced anxiety, while meditation alone reduced stress and depression. Satisfaction was highest in the combined group. |
Abstract
The metaverse has demonstrated notable effectiveness in psychotherapeutic treatments. This study investigates the efficacy of a metaverse-based family sculpture technique in reducing psychological stress, anxiety, and depression. Traditional family sculpture methods, known for their ability to identify and address familial relationship dynamics, were adapted to a metaverse environment, facilitating immersive, nonphysical therapeutic interactions. Participants (n = 79) were divided into family sculpture, meditation, combined meditation and family sculpture, no-intervention, and placebo groups engaging in a wish lantern activity. Standardized tools (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Perceived Stress Scale) measured psychological outcomes, followed by pre- and post-intervention assessments. The combined meditation and family sculpture group exhibited the most significant reductions across all measures, demonstrating a synergistic effect between the two techniques. The family sculpture group effectively reduced anxiety, whereas the meditation group significantly decreased stress and depression. Satisfaction levels were the highest in the combined meditation and family sculpture group, reflecting participants' positive perceptions of emotional stabilization and the usability of metaverse technology. Metaverse-based interventions can expand access to psychotherapy, offering a novel and engaging platform for therapeutic innovation. Future research should explore larger sample sizes, extended intervention durations, and technical refinements to validate the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of these digital psychotherapeutic approaches.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Efficacy of mHealth aided 12-week meditation and breath intervention on change in burnout and professional quality of life among health care providers of a tertiary care hospital in north India: a randomized waitlist-controlled trial. Frontiers in Public Health 2023
- The effects of body scan meditation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being August 1, 2022