Evaluating VR-Based Meditation as a Tool to Manage Test Anxiety in Academic Settings

This study explores the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) meditation environment in reducing exam-related anxiety among graduate engineering students. Traditional meditation can be limited by environmental constraints, while VR offers an immersive alternative. Participants ( N = 14) were exposed to both VR and 2D guided meditation experiences in a within-subjects design across two exam periods. Measures included (a) the Test Anxiety Scale, (b) the Pre-Exam Anxiety Scale: using the Coping with Pre-Exam Anxiety and Uncertainty (COPEAU), and (c) the Presence Scale: using the Spatial Presence Experience Scale (SPES). While no statistically significant reduction in anxiety scores was observed between the two groups, participants reported a significantly greater sense of presence within the VR environment. Results suggest VR may enhance immersion during meditation but require a larger sample size to determine its impact on anxiety reduction.