Both virtual reality and audio-guided relaxation interventions produced comparable acute reductions in heart rate (β = -7.26) and phasic electrodermal activity during home-based sessions among psychiatric outpatients.
RCT (n=53)
Single-blind
Block randomization stratified by investigation site
Yes
Does self-guided VR relaxation improve autonomic and subjective responses in outpatients with psychiatric diagnoses compared to audio-guided relaxation?
Both VR and audio-guided relaxation modalities effectively downregulate autonomic arousal in everyday settings among psychiatric patients, supporting momentary relaxation without altering trait-like physiology.
Mean Difference: -7.26
p-value: p=<0.001
Virtual reality (VR)-based relaxation interventions show promising effects, yet evidence on how self-guided interventions influence real-world physiological and subjective responses among psychiatric patients remains limited. Given the exploratory and preliminary nature of this study, we examined acute and longer-term autonomic and subjective responses to self-guided VR versus audio-guided relaxation, both during at-home relaxation sessions and across daily life (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05440825). In a single-blind randomized controlled trial, 53 outpatients with burnout or DSM-5 psychiatric diagnoses were assigned to VR (VRelax: n = 24) or audio-guided relaxation (n = 29). Participants engaged in their assigned method at least five times weekly for six weeks while wearing an Empatica E4 during weeks 1 and 6. Heart rate (HR), electrodermal activity (EDA), heart rate variability (HRV), movement, and subjective relaxation were assessed. Both interventions produced acute reductions in HR and phasic EDA during sessions, with comparable effects across modalities and partial attenuation over time. Physiological changes did not systematically predict subjective changes, aligning with evidence that psychological experience and autonomic responses often diverge in everyday contexts. Movement was positively associated with HR and EDA, reflecting activity-related variation. Tonic HR and EDA indices showed trait-like stability, whereas phasic EDA demonstrated state-like variability. This is the first study characterizing real-world autonomic and subjective responses to both modalities among psychiatric patients. Findings indicate that both modalities downregulate autonomic arousal in everyday settings, supporting momentary relaxation without altering trait-like physiology. Results highlight the feasibility and clinical potential of integrating personalized, ambulatory relaxation interventions into routine outpatient care.
Robbemond et al. (Mon,) conducted a rct in Burnout or DSM-5 psychiatric diagnoses (n=53). Virtual reality relaxation (VRelax) vs. Audio-guided relaxation exercises was evaluated on Heart rate (HR) change during session compared to before (β = -7.26, p=<0.001). Both virtual reality and audio-guided relaxation interventions produced comparable acute reductions in heart rate (β = -7.26) and phasic electrodermal activity during home-based sessions among psychiatric outpatients.