Evaluation of interactive digital art healing effects based on multi modal physiological signals and generative adversarial networks (GANs): an empirical study of the neural mechanisms of emotion regulation

Introduction With the global mental health crisis intensifying, traditional psychological interventions face challenges of resource inequity and limited cultural adaptability. Digital technology offers innovative pathways for emotional regulation. This study investigates a digital art therapy system integrating generative adversarial networks (GANs) with multimodal physiological signals to uncover its mechanisms for influencing emotional regulation through neural and social-behavioral pathways. Methods Through controlled laboratory experiments and a mixed-method design, this study systematically examined how GAN-generated content types directly affect emotional regulation. A total of 120 adult participants were recruited and randomly assigned to static, dynamic, and interactive intervention groups. The mediating roles of perceived social support and technology acceptance, as well as the moderating effects of cultural capital and social network density, were further analyzed. Results Interactive digital content significantly enhanced emotional stability and social adaptability by strengthening user autonomy and virtual community engagement. This effect operated through a chain-mediation pathway involving perceived social support and technology acceptance. Individuals with high cultural capital demonstrated greater emotional improvement, while dense social networks amplified the intervention effects by accelerating support resource transmission. Discussion This study proposes a triadic interaction model for digital art therapy, extending traditional theoretical frameworks and offering a new perspective on human-computer collaborative emotional regulation. The findings provide empirical evidence for optimizing interactive design, enhancing cultural adaptation, and improving fairness in technological solutions, thereby advancing digital mental health services toward greater precision and inclusivity.