Virtual Reality Versus Auditory-Based Mindfulness: Impacts on Cognitive Performance in Graduate-Level Students

This study examined whether virtual reality mindfulness-based practice (VR-MBP) enhances cognitive function, specifically attention, memory, and reasoning, in graduate students compared to auditory mindfulness and no intervention.

A mixed-methods within-subjects design was used. Fourteen occupational and physical therapy graduate students participated in this study. Cognitive performance was assessed at four intervals using the Cognitive Assessment Battery (CAB) PRO by CogniFit. Participants completed the Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale-2 (CTAS-2) as a pre and post-test to measure self-perceived testing anxiety.

Significant improvements were found in memory domains, particularly short-term, working, and non-verbal memory following VR-MBP. Higher cognitive scores were associated with lower anxiety levels and testing in a controlled classroom environment.

A significant correlation between VR-MBP intervention and improvements in short-term, working, and non-verbal memory adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the cognitive benefits of mindfulness-based practices, while also highlighting the effectiveness of VR as a delivery model.