A Novel Virtual Reality-Based Nature Meditation Program for Older Adults' Mental Health: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 4-week nature-mindfulness-compassion program using virtual reality for improving mental health in older adults.
Results Summary
The EEMCF-VR program was feasible and well-tolerated, with significantly lower stress and negative emotions reported compared to controls. Qualitative feedback highlighted perceived benefits and areas for refinement, such as headset weight.
Population
Older adults (mean age 75.1 years)
Effective Dosage
8 sessions over 4 weeks
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Embodied-and-Embedded-Mindfulness-Compassion-Framework - Virtual-Reality (EEMCF-VR) | no change | feasibility | older adults | recruitment targets achieved, attrition < 15% | met feasibility benchmarks | #1 |
Embodied-and-Embedded-Mindfulness-Compassion-Framework - Virtual-Reality (EEMCF-VR) | no change | simulator sickness | older adults | minimal | was well-tolerated | #2 |
Embodied-and-Embedded-Mindfulness-Compassion-Framework - Virtual-Reality (EEMCF-VR) | increase | acceptability | older adults | - | indicated high acceptability | #3 |
Embodied-and-Embedded-Mindfulness-Compassion-Framework - Virtual-Reality (EEMCF-VR) | decrease | stress | older adults | - | reported significantly lower | #4 |
Embodied-and-Embedded-Mindfulness-Compassion-Framework - Virtual-Reality (EEMCF-VR) | decrease | negative emotions | older adults | - | reported significantly lower | #5 |
Embodied-and-Embedded-Mindfulness-Compassion-Framework - Virtual-Reality (EEMCF-VR) | no change | feasibility and acceptability | older adults | - | demonstrated feasibility and acceptability | #6 |
Embodied-and-Embedded-Mindfulness-Compassion-Framework - Virtual-Reality (EEMCF-VR) | decrease | older adults' emotional distress | older adults | - | shows potential as a scalable intervention to reduce | #7 |
OBJECTIVES: The rapid aging of the global population necessitates innovative interventions to address older adults' mental health. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 4-week, 8-session nature-mindfulness-compassion program using immersive virtual reality (Embodied-and-Embedded-Mindfulness-Compassion-Framework - Virtual-Reality (EEMCF-VR)) for older adults' mental health. METHODS: Following a mixed-methods, two-arm, open-label RCT design, 24 older adults (Mage = 75.1, SD = 6.58) were randomly assigned to EEMCF-VR (n = 12) or a psychoeducational pamphlet control group (n = 12). Participants completed self-report assessments of stress, positive and negative emotions, coping self-efficacy, psychosocial well-being, mindfulness, and nature connectedness at baseline (T1), midpoint (T2), post-intervention (T3), and 4-week follow-up (T4). Additionally, the EEMCF-VR group completed program feedback (T3) and simulator sickness (T1-T3) questionnaires. RESULTS: EEMCF-VR met feasibility benchmarks (recruitment targets achieved, attrition < 15%) and was well-tolerated (minimal simulator sickness). Participant feedback indicated high acceptability. The EEMCF-VR group reported significantly lower stress and negative emotions at T2 and T4 compared to controls. Qualitative analysis highlighted perceived benefits and components to retain (e.g. video content) or refine (e.g. headset weight). CONCLUSIONS: EEMCF-VR demonstrated feasibility and acceptability, with promising effects on stress and mood, warranting investigation in larger trials. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: EEMCF-VR shows potential as a scalable intervention to reduce older adults' emotional distress.