Stress reduction therapy in immersive environments : does rotation mode have an effect on mental stress?

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Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Human Interface Technology
Degree name
Master of Human Interface Technology
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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
2024
Authors
Feng, Yuming
Abstract

Mental stress, exacerbated by various contemporary factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid technological advancements, and global crises, poses significant challenges. Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) offer promising avenues for stress relief. This paper explores the efficacy of VR immersion, particularly the impact of rotational motion, in mitigating mental stress. Through heart rate monitoring, it investigates the intricate interplay between immersive VR environments and stress reduction. Integrating insights from VR therapy, meditation practices, and heart rate analysis, the study contributes to the burgeoning field of mental health technology. It proposes VR as a novel tool for stress management, providing multisensory meditation experiences. The study also explores the use of innovative hardware like the NOVA Ball to induce immersive meditative states. The experimental design seeks to understand VR’s therapeutic potential for stress reduction, bridging the gap between technological innovation and practical mental health solutions.

Research Background and Purpose: This study systematically evaluates user experiences in a VR environment integrating physiological data, focusing on the influence of physical rotation elements. It uncovers correlations between heart rate variations, physical rotation, and user experiences, informing future VR design. By delving into the relationship between heart rate fluctuations and participants’ emotional and cognitive states under physical rotation conditions, the study deepens understanding of rotation actions’ mental health effects in VR. Additionally, it assesses VR’s potential as a mental health intervention, particularly in stress reduction, by merging subjective experience questionnaires with objective physiological heart rate data. This holistic approach enriches VR’s role in mental health and guides future developments in user experience design and VR therapy applications.

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