Mindfulness-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Individuals at High Risk of Mental Disorders

Authors

  • Jaehyun Kim East Carolina University
  • Yongseop Kim University of Utah
  • Marcos Ardon Lobos East Carolina University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2025-V59-I3-12756

Abstract

While traditional meditation practices are well known for their mental health benefits, they face limitations when applied in recreational therapy. There is a need for recreation therapists to apply innovative interventions, particularly for clients at high risk of mental disorders. To address these limitations and improve meditation practices, we evaluated the preliminary effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Virtual Reality (MBVR) program in reducing perceived stress and improving self-perceived health among individuals at high risk for mental disorders. Twenty-two college students with high-stress levels participated in eight 15-minute MBVR sessions over the span of a month. Paired samples t-tests showed significant reductions in perceived stress and improvements in self-rated health after the MBVR sessions. These results suggest that MBVR could be a valuable tool for recreation therapists to prevent clients’ mental health issues before they develop into clinical conditions. Additionally, the findings provide important insights for future practices and research in recreational therapy. 

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Published

2025-07-23

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Research Papers

License

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