Seven-minute virtual reality intervention helps students tackle stress and exam anxiety
A seven-minute virtual reality (VR) intervention can help students feel calmer, less anxious and better able to cope with academic pressure, according to new research from City St George's. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, come at a time when schools and universities across the U.K. seek new approaches to support student well-being amid growing concerns about stress, anxiety and…
A recent study from City St George's University has found that a seven-minute virtual reality (VR) intervention can significantly help students alleviate stress and anxiety related to examinations. Published in Scientific Reports, the research highlights the growing concern over mental health issues among young people, particularly in academic settings.
The immersive VR experience, developed in collaboration with students by health technology company Phase Space, combines stress-management techniques such as breathing exercises, visualization, and positive coping strategies with calming audio and visual effects. In a randomized trial involving 131 healthcare students, those who used VR headsets reported more immediate reductions in stress and anxiety, as well as increased calmness and happiness, compared to those who viewed the same content on a smartphone.
The benefits of the VR intervention persisted at a two-week follow-up, indicating its potential as a scalable tool for promoting student well-being in educational institutions.
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