The effect of virtual immersion in nature on hospitalization stress in psychiatric patients: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Stress is not only a transdiagnostic risk factor for depressive and anxiety disorders but is also closely associated with disease relapse and treatment compliance in psychiatric care. The lack of access to nature in closed psychiatric wards may exacerbate patients' perceived stress, while virtual reality (VR)-based immersive nature technology offers an innovative solution.

Methods

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a short-term, low-dose VR nature immersion protocol (10 min per day for 3 consecutive days) on hospitalized psychiatric patients in China. This study employed a randomized controlled trial design, enrolling 60 inpatients diagnosed with depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. Seven participants withdrew, leaving 27 in the VR nature group and 26 in the VR city control group. Intervention effects were measured using multidimensional indicators, including psychological scales, physiological indicators, and immediate emotion.

Results

The VR nature group exhibited significant reductions in perceived stress, depression, and anxiety, along with significantly increased connectedness to nature. Physiological data indicated that the VR nature group had significantly lower heart rates compared to the control group. After a single VR session, the VR nature group demonstrated a significant improvement in positive emotions and a marked reduction in negative emotions.

Conclusion

This research provides evidence that short-term VR nature immersion effectively alleviates stress and emotional in hospitalized psychiatric patients. The consistent results across psychological, physiological, and immediate emotional indicators validate its efficacy. The proposed lightweight protocol is both clinically feasible and safe, offering a new pathway for stress intervention in closed psychiatric wards.