Use of Virtual Reality (VR)-Based Relaxation Among Female Patients with Mental Disorders: A Pilot Study

Background: Anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and insomnia often co-occur and impair functioning in psychiatric patients. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising relaxation tool, yet its efficacy relative to classical Schultz autogenic training (AT) remains insufficiently characterized. Methods: Thirty-seven female patients were randomly assigned to four groups: (1) inpatient AT (n = 10), (2) inpatient VR (n = 10), (3) home-based AT (n = 10), and (4) home-based VR (n = 7). Interventions lasted 2 weeks (≥10 sessions). Depressive and anxiety symptoms, sleep quality, and cognitive function were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: In the total sample, anxiety and depressive symptoms decreased and sleep quality improved, while cognitive functions showed slight improvement. In subgroup analyses, inpatient AT reduced anxiety and improved sleep, whereas inpatient VR reduced both anxiety and depressive symptoms and improved sleep. In the home-based modality, AT did not significantly affect sleep, anxiety, or depressive symptoms but was associated with modest cognitive gains, while home-based VR improved sleep without significant changes in anxiety or depression. Conclusions: Both methods are straightforward to implement and promote improvement in selected mental health parameters; however, their effect profiles are context-dependent. Interventions delivered in the inpatient setting were more effective than those at home, suggesting a substantial influence of contextual factors (fewer distractions, therapeutic structure, group component). Among the tested conditions, inpatient VR-based relaxation produced the broadest pattern of improvement in anxiety, depression, and sleep. These pilot findings require confirmation in larger, prospectively designed studies.