Virtual Reality Customized 360-Degree Experiences for Stress Relief

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• Chromotherapy rooms are effective but costly and require dedicated spaces.
• Virtual Reality (VR) presents a potential for portable and accessible immersive experiences.
• Stress reduction is a significant area of research with a need for innovative interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a portable, versatile 360-degree VR system as an alternative to traditional chromotherapy for stress relief.
• To assess the efficacy of VR-induced relaxation using electroencephalography (EEG) and self-reported stress levels.

Main Methods:

• A single-session study involving 23 healthy participants (mean age 22.65 ± 5.48).
• Participants underwent induced stress (Montreal Imaging Stress Task - MIST) followed by a VR relaxation experience.
• EEG (relative gamma) and self-perceived stress surveys were used to measure relaxation effects, analyzed with the Wilcoxon test.

Main Results:

• The VR intervention significantly reduced stress levels (p-value = 0.0001).
• Participants reported the VR experience as comfortable and immersive (average score > 3.5/5).
• EEG data corroborated the self-reported stress reduction.

Conclusions:

• 360-degree VR experiences are effective in mitigating stress.
• This VR approach offers a cost-effective and accessible alternative to traditional chromotherapy.
• VR stress relief can be deployed in various settings like homes and workplaces, increasing public accessibility.