Virtual reality relaxation for university students: A feasibility and acceptability study

There is a high prevalence of stress in university students. Current stress management interventions are often scarce or challenging to implement. Virtual reality (VR) relaxation may be a useful alternative. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a five-week VR relaxation training in university students, and secondarily to explore its impact on clinical outcomes. University students ( n = 30) were recruited in a five-week VR relaxation training. A mixed methods design was utilised to test the feasibility and acceptability and explore the impact of the training on clinical outcomes. It was possible to recruit sufficient participants, and retention and adherence were excellent. The VR relaxation was experienced as positive, relaxing, immersive and resulting in impactful daily changes, though participants would value tailoring VR relaxation experiences according to preferences. Explorative analyses indicate a reduction in stress and increased relaxation and connection to nature in the short-term, and a reduction of worrying in the long-term. A five-week VR relaxation training is feasible and acceptable in university students and indicates beneficial changes for short-term stress, relaxation and connection to nature. Implications for students are discussed. Owing to methodological limitations, the findings on clinical outcomes need to be treated with caution. Further research in this promising area is warranted.