The Role of VR Serious Games in Emotion Regulation: An Empirical Evaluation

Negative emotions, if left unaddressed under stress, can lead to mental health disorders, making effective emotional catharsis essential for regulation. In recent years, virtual reality (VR) technology has shown promise in emotion regulation. However, the feasibility of using catharsis-based VR serious games for emotion regulation remains underexplored. To address this gap, we developed a VR serious game based on the principles of catharsis therapy, where users experience various scenarios designed to facilitate the release of negative emotions. By integrating behavioral, physiological (EEG), and subjective measures, this study investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of the game in alleviating negative emotions. The experimental findings validate the potential of this VR serious game as a novel therapeutic tool for emotion regulation, offering an effective means of emotional release and contributing to the improvement of overall quality of life.