Open Access

ARTICLE

Preliminary Efficacy of an Immersive Virtual Reality Meditation Intervention in Reducing Perceived Stress and Anxiety among University Students

Jaehyun Kim¹, Junhyoung Kim², Chungsup Lee³, Marcos Ardon Lobos¹, Na Young Kim^4,*

1 Department of Recreation Sciences and Sport Management, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
2 Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA
3 Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA
4 HI Fertility Center, 436 Gangseo-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 07696, Republic of Korea

* Corresponding Author: Na Young Kim. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2025, 27(8), 1087-1099. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.064617

Received 20 February 2025; Accepted 27 June 2025; Issue published 29 August 2025

Abstract

Background: While traditional meditation practices are known for their mental health benefits, they often face limitations such as restricted access and environmental distractions. To address these challenges and enhance meditation effectiveness, this study implemented an immersive virtual reality meditation (IVRM) program and examined its potential mental health benefits among university students—a population that frequently experiences significant psychological distress. Methods: Nineteen university students participated in eight 15-min sessions of an IVRM program designed to promote mindfulness and relaxation over the course of one month. Perceived stress and anxiety levels were assessed using validated self-report measures at baseline (T1) and post-intervention (T2). Two-tailed paired t-tests were conducted to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of the program, and effect sizes were reported using Cohen’s d. Results: Significant reductions were observed from pre- to post-intervention in perceived stress (t(18) = 3.694, p < 0.001, SE = 0.17, d = −0.85) and perceived anxiety (t(18) = 5.113, p < 0.01, SE = 0.10, d = −1.20), both indicating large effect sizes. Conclusion: Our findings provide preliminary evidence that the IVRM program can reduce stress and anxiety levels in university students. The positive results suggest that IVRM has the potential to serve as a novel, technology-based meditation intervention for individuals at elevated risk for developing mental health disorders. Furthermore, our study suggests important implications for future research.

---

Keywords

---