The Effects of Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality Brief Mindfulness Breathing Exercise on Emotional Well-being and Cognitive Functions: Within-Subjects Experimental Design (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Mindfulness has been shown to enhance emotional well-being and cognitive performance, yet much of this evidence stems from interventions requiring prolonged practice, making them time-consuming and less accessible. Recent studies suggest that brief mindfulness sessions may also yield positive outcomes, but the effectiveness of such interventions in Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) remains underexplored. OBJECTIVE This study investigates the effects of brief mindfulness breathing exercises delivered through VR and MR on attentional and emotional restoration and self-control capacity. METHODS Using a within-subjects experimental design, 102 undergraduate participants engaged in both VR and MR mindfulness breathing conditions and a mind wandering control condition, with a one-week washout period between conditions. Emotional well-being, self-control capacity, and working memory capacity were measured at baseline and post-treatment. RESULTS Results indicated that VR and MR mindfulness breathing exercises significantly enhanced positive affect, reduced negative affect, and improved self-control capacity compared to the mind wandering control condition. No significant differences in working memory were observed between conditions. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that VR and MR provide immersive platforms for brief mindfulness interventions, effectively enhancing emotional well-being. The absence of cognitive improvements highlights the need for further exploration into the duration and intensity required for cognitive benefits to emerge. This study underscores the potential of VR and MR mindfulness applications as accessible and effective tools for promoting mental well-being while also emphasising the need for further research to optimise their cognitive impact.