Nature-based virtual reality relaxation to improve mental health and sleep in undergraduate students: A randomized controlled trial
Background Undergraduate students are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems due to academic pressure, financial concerns, and interpersonal stressors. Nature-based virtual reality (VR) technologies, which replicate natural settings, may offer psychological benefits by compensating for li...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Digital Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251365140 |
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| Summary: | Background Undergraduate students are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems due to academic pressure, financial concerns, and interpersonal stressors. Nature-based virtual reality (VR) technologies, which replicate natural settings, may offer psychological benefits by compensating for limited access to real-world natural environments in urban contexts. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nature-based VR relaxation program in improving mental health and sleep outcomes among Korean undergraduate students. Method Participants from five Korean universities were randomly assigned to one of three groups: VR relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), or wait-list control. Self-reported measures of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and sleep patterns were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. Objective sleep efficiency was assessed using wrist-worn actigraphy devices. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations to examine changes over time and between groups. Results A total of 41 participants completed the study. The VR intervention group showed significant reductions in perceived stress levels ( p = .001) and improvements in subjective sleep patterns ( p = .046), with these effects sustained at follow-up. Notably, sleep efficiency measured via actigraphy improved significantly in the PMR group compared to the other groups ( p = .033). Conclusions A nature-based VR relaxation program appears to be an effective digital intervention for reducing stress and enhancing subjective sleep quality among undergraduate students. These findings highlight the potential of nature-simulating digital environments to support mental health and wellness in settings with limited access to natural spaces. |
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| ISSN: | 2055-2076 |