Mediscape: Preliminary Design Guidelines for Interactive Rhythmic Soundscapes for Entraining Novice Mindfulness Meditators

Abstract

Mindfulness meditation is a beneficial approach to managing stress; however, establishing a practice can be difficult for novice meditators. Interactive soundscapes using brainwave data offer new avenues, yet how to design such novel interfaces is underexplored. We present Mediscape, an interactive ocean soundscape modulated by brainwave data to teach awareness of breathing to novices. Through an exploratory study with 20 participants, we collected interview and questionnaire data on their experience with Mediscape and impact on their stress and wellbeing. Findings revealed the complex nature of the meditation experience for novices, analysed as key themes of shifting state, attention, self-regulation strategy, and immersion. Preliminary design guidelines are proposed to assist designers in creating interactive soundscapes for breath-awareness meditation, through consideration of how sound can be used for rhythmic entrainment of breathing, information on the state of meditation, and the creation of immersive environments.