Does a 360° VR nature environment augment relaxation during a MBSR breathing meditation?

Abstract This study investigated whether immersive 360° virtual reality (VR) nature environments enhance the relaxation effects of a guided mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) breathing meditation. In a randomized controlled trial, 100 healthy adults were assigned to one of three conditions: MBSR audio-only, MBSR with a 2D beach video (Display), or MBSR with a 360° VR beach video (VR). Psychophysiological indicators (heart rate, heart rate variability, skin conductance, respiration) and self-reported measures (affect, relaxation, presence, simulator sickness) were assessed before, during and after the intervention. While all groups exhibited the expected relaxation effects over time—characterized by increased parasympathetic activity, as indicated by a lower heart rate and skin conductance, and subjective relaxation—no significant additional benefit of the more immersive VR condition was observed. However, 360° VR was perceived as more immersive than 2D display, and exploratory analyses revealed unique interaction effects for sleepiness and heart rate variability indices in specific groups. The findings suggest that, although immersive VR reliably increases the sense of presence, it may not confer additional physiological relaxation benefits in mindfulness-experienced, low-stress populations. Future research should examine these effects in more diverse and clinically stressed cohorts, and test alternative VR content designs to optimize relaxation outcomes.