Search Results (34)

Work-related stress is a significant concern among employees in multinational corporations, where workloads and performance expectations are high. This study examines pre–post changes associated with a Virtual Reality (VR)-based mindfulness intervention designed to support stress management after a workday. A sample of 134 corporate employees from multinational companies reporting moderate to high stress participated in the study. Physiological indicators, including heart rate and skin conductance, were recorded before and after the VR session, alongside self-reported measures of perceived stress and relaxation. The intervention consisted of immersive VR environments integrating guided breathing, calming narration, and natural landscapes. Results indicated significant reductions in physiological stress markers following the intervention compared to baseline levels, accompanied by improvements in self-reported relaxation, reduced tension, and enhanced mental clarity. These findings suggest that VR-based mindfulness is associated with short-term reductions in both physiological and perceived stress. VR-based mindfulness may represent a complementary and non-invasive approach to stress management in individuals exposed to high occupational demands. Future research using controlled designs and longitudinal approaches is needed to evaluate the sustained effects of repeated VR sessions and their integration into corporate wellness programs. Full article

To evaluate the effectiveness of an adaptive physical education (APE) program using VR technologies, we studied the physical development and vitality indicators of college female students in two groups: those with and without functional health limitations (N = 70 each). Students with disabilities were randomly divided into experimental and control groups of 35 people each. The experimental group participated in physical education classes using VR. The health assessment included heart rate, blood pressure, and subjective health assessments. Physical development was assessed by the biological age index (BAI) by Voitenko, static balance duration, and breath-holding time. Psychological activity was assessed using the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Rezapkina Vitality Test, and the Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS). The delayed effect was assessed using a questionnaire. Students with functional impairments initially demonstrated a significant decrease in overall vitality, physical activity duration, and more negative health self-perception. After the virtual reality sessions, they showed a restoration of physical development and vitality indicators to levels close to healthy, as well as a decrease in BAI. The delayed effect was confirmed after three months. The use of virtual reality technologies in the APE program effectively improves the physical development and activity (vitality) of students with functional health impairments. Full article

Background: The global burden of mental disorders continues to escalate, necessitating scalable, evidence-based interventions. Artificial intelligence (AI)-delivered health promotion programs represent a promising approach to addressing treatment gaps by targeting the neuropsychological mechanisms that underlie mental health outcomes. This meta-analysis synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of AI-delivered interventions in improving executive function, emotion regulation, and clinical outcomes across diverse populations. Methods: A systematic search identified 186 studies (n = 22,755 participants) published between 2020 and 2025. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated pooled effect sizes (Hedges’ g, calculated as between-group standardized mean differences with small-sample correction [J = 1 − 3/(4df − 1)]) for primary outcomes. Between-study heterogeneity was quantified using I² and τ² statistics. To address dependency among effect sizes from studies reporting multiple outcomes, robust variance estimation (RVE) was employed. Subgroup analyses examined intervention modalities, delivery formats, and clinical populations. Moderator analyses explored sources of heterogeneity, including publication year, sample size, intervention duration, control condition type, risk-of-bias rating, geographic region, and AI sophistication tier, and mediational models tested putative therapeutic mechanisms. Results: AI-delivered interventions demonstrated a significant overall effect on health outcomes (g = 0.68, 95% CI [0.58, 0.78]; τ² = 0.12; I² = 73.4%). Executive function outcomes showed moderate effects (g = 0.61, τ² = 0.08), with working memory improvements being strongest (g = 0.72). Emotion regulation outcomes demonstrated moderate-to-large effects (g = 0.61, 95% CI [0.51, 0.70], τ² = 0.006); formal subgroup pooled estimates by emotion regulation strategy were not calculated due to insufficient studies per strategy (k < 3 per category); individual study effect sizes ranged from g = 0.27 to g = 1.11. Among 41 studies examining neuropsychological mechanisms, convergent patterns suggested involvement of prefrontal neural circuits (DLPFC), enhanced alpha-band activity, and improved heart rate variability; however, formal mediation was tested in only 18 studies (9.7%). Among clinical populations, interventions for cognitive impairment yielded the largest effects (g = 1.02; this finding should be interpreted cautiously given modest cumulative sample size [n = 482], potential small-study effects [Egger’s p = 0.08], and trim-and-fill adjusted estimate of g = 0.85), followed by mental health conditions (g = 0.72), while other clinical populations showed smaller but significant improvements (g = 0.19). Mobile applications (g = 0.78) and chatbot-based interventions (g = 0.74) demonstrated the strongest effects among delivery formats. Among studies testing formal mediation, analyses suggested mindfulness (β = 0.42), decentering (β = 0.38), and cognitive reappraisal (β = 0.45) as processes associated with therapeutic outcomes. Conclusions: AI-delivered health promotion programs demonstrate significant effectiveness across executive function, emotion regulation, and clinical outcomes, though substantial heterogeneity (I² = 45–82%) indicates meaningful variability warranting attention to subgroup-specific effects. Given the diversity of intervention types included (chatbots, mobile apps, VR systems, neuromodulation), pooled estimates should be interpreted as characterizing the average effect across this heterogeneous landscape; subgroup-specific estimates provide more precise guidance for clinical decision-making regarding specific modalities. Effects are associated with convergent patterns of neuropsychological mechanisms, though mechanistic conclusions remain preliminary given that only 22% of studies (41/186) examined neuropsychological mechanisms, and formal mediation analyses were conducted in only 18 studies (9.7%); most of the mechanistic evidence is correlational rather than causal. Future research should establish standardized AI taxonomies, optimize adaptive algorithms, conduct adequately powered replication studies in populations with cognitive impairment, prioritize experimental mediation designs to establish causal pathways, and evaluate long-term maintenance effects with a minimum of 6–12-month follow-up periods. Full article

Although street ambiance, understood as a multisensory and cognitive experience, has been widely discussed in theory, empirical evidence on how it is perceived across specific urban contexts remains limited. This study explores the differences in ambiance-related responses between the two contrasting streets—one historic and one non-historic—by integrating brain, body, and mind measures within a controlled immersive framework. A VR-based, multimodal experimental protocol was employed, presenting participants with 360° audiovisual representations of two real-world streets. Data were collected using EEG, a wrist-worn physiological sensor, and self-report evaluations. Subjective responses consistently differentiated between the two streets’ ambiances, reflecting a coherent, environmentally grounded appraisal shaped by each street’s combined visual and auditory attributes. Neural responses clearly differentiated between the two streets, demonstrating that the distinct experiential character of the historic street was also reflected at the level of brain activity. Within the historic street, an asymmetric relationship emerged in which subjective evaluations differentiated ambiance more robustly than corresponding psychophysiological modulation, indicating context-dependent sensitivity across modalities. Taken together, the findings suggest that subjective and psychophysiological responses do not differ merely in magnitude but also in their mode of organization, revealing street ambiance as a multisensory and relational experience rather than the sum of isolated environmental attributes or historicity alone. Full article

Fear of needles is common among child patients. It causes stress and can lead to difficulty in procedures and future treatment avoidance. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool to reduce pain and anxiety non-pharmacologically. However, a research gap exists regarding what VR content is most effective in decreasing periprocedural stress. This article reports a VR feasibility study conducted with 83 child patients aged 8–12 years during a cannulation procedure. It has a between-subjects design with four groups, comparing deep breathing and mindfulness-based relaxation in a virtual nature environment (VNE) to passive VNE and standard care. The results from both relaxation exercise groups have been previously reported. This follow-up article adds findings from passive VNE and control groups, comparing all four for effectiveness and patient experience. The key findings highlight that deep breathing was highly effective according to heart rate variability (HRV) data, but less enjoyable than the mindfulness-based relaxation, which achieved higher patient satisfaction but was less effective according to HRV. Passive VNEs were pleasant but did not cause measurable stress reduction. All VR interventions improved patient experience over standard care. Relaxation exercises in a VNE reduce periprocedural stress more efficiently than passive VNEs or standard care in pediatrics. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mental health and emotional well-being are critical yet often overlooked in older adults. Immersive virtual reality (VR) may offer novel strategies for promoting relaxation in this population, but the diversity of intervention designs and underlying mechanisms remains insufficiently mapped. This scoping review aimed to systematically examine head-mounted display (HMD) VR interventions for relaxation in older adults, focusing on core scenarios, mechanisms, and conceptual paradigms. Methods: Following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, comprehensive searches of MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus were conducted for empirical studies of HMD-based VR relaxation interventions in adults aged 60 and older. Data on study characteristics, hardware, intervention scenarios, and reported physiological and psychological mechanisms were extracted and categorized into conceptual paradigms. Results: Twenty-four studies were included, covering diverse clinical and community samples. Four main VR relaxation paradigms emerged: environmental relaxation, guided meditation, psychotherapy integration, and interactive gamified relaxation. Reported mechanisms included parasympathetic activation, multisensory immersion, attentional distraction, positive affect induction, mindfulness, cognitive engagement, and reminiscence activation. Considerable heterogeneity was found in intervention design and outcomes, with mechanisms often inferred rather than directly described. Conclusions: Similar relaxation mechanisms were engaged across paradigms, including hybrid interventions combining multiple approaches, highlighting the adaptability of VR to meet diverse needs. Identifying these four paradigms provides a foundation for future research and development of targeted VR-based relaxation for older adults. Further studies should clarify mechanisms, use standardized physiological outcome measures, and assess long-term benefits of VR relaxation interventions in geriatric populations. Full article

(1) Background: Chronic pulmonary diseases (CPDs), such as COPD, asthma, and interstitial lung disease, are often accompanied by psychological distress and reduced quality of life. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs), including digital and virtual reality (VR) formats, have emerged as promising non-pharmacological approaches to improve symptom management and well-being. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs—delivered in-person or digitally—on anxiety, depression, disease-related stress, dyspnea, and health-related quality of life in individuals with CPDs. (2) Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2005–2025). Thirteen studies (8 randomized controlled trials, 5 non-randomized) met inclusion criteria. Outcomes assessed included psychological distress, physical symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Risk of bias was evaluated using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. (3) Results: MBIs were associated with improvements in anxiety, depression, stress, and HRQoL in several studies. Interventions were generally well-tolerated and effective across various delivery methods, including digital and VR-based formats. Improvements were especially notable when interventions were tailored and sustained. (4) Conclusions: MBIs, including digital and VR-delivered formats, show promise in supporting psychological and physical outcomes in CPD populations. They represent a feasible and complementary tool in modern respiratory care. Full article

This quantitative study investigates the effects of virtual reality immersion on enhancing scientific habits of mind (critical and creative thinking) through the mediation of flow experience, motivation, and self-regulation in high school biology classes in East Jerusalem. The random multi-stage cluster sample consisted of 347 high school students from three schools who learned biology concepts constructively during the first semester using VR-based instruction, complying with the principles of the Cognitive Affective Model of Immersive Learning (CAMIL). The results of PLS-SEM revealed that VRI significantly affected critical and creative thinking directly and indirectly. Cases of partial and complete mediation intervened, showing the effects of mediators on enhancing habits of mind through a sequence of mediation flowing from flow experience through motivation to self-regulation, which functioned as a key intermediary factor in the relationship between virtual reality immersion and habits of mind. Based on the results of the study, the complex structure warrants further investigation. The results of the study suggest that VRI’s impact on critical and creative thinking was intensified through mediation effects. In addition, the findings confirm that flow experience and motivation played essential roles in fostering a conducive learning environment that supports cognitive skill development. The results highlight that the enhancement of self-regulation was a necessary step for the enhancement of critical and creative thinking. The study recommends integrating VRI into teaching biology to enhance students’ higher-order thinking skills. Further studies on self-regulation should explore adaptive interventions that strengthen self-regulatory strategies to maximize the cognitive benefits of virtual reality immersion. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered mental health chatbots have evolved quickly as scalable means for psychological support, bringing novel solutions through natural language processing (NLP), mobile accessibility, and generative AI. This systematic literature review (SLR), following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, collates evidence from 25 published, peer-reviewed studies between 2020 and 2025 and reviews therapeutic techniques, cultural adaptation, technical design, system assessment, and ethics. Studies were extracted from seven academic databases, screened against specific inclusion criteria, and thematically analyzed. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was the most common therapeutic model, featured in 15 systems, frequently being used jointly with journaling, mindfulness, and behavioral activation, followed by emotion-based approaches, which were featured in seven systems. Innovative techniques like GPT-based emotional processing, multimodal interaction (e.g., AR/VR), and LSTM-SVM classification models (greater than 94% accuracy) showed increased conversation flexibility but missed long-term clinical validation. Cultural adaptability was varied, and effective localization was seen in systems like XiaoE, okBot, and Luda Lee, while Western-oriented systems had restricted contextual adaptability. Accessibility and inclusivity are still major challenges, especially within low-resource settings, since digital literacy, support for multiple languages, and infrastructure deficits are still challenges. Ethical aspects—data privacy, explainability, and crisis plans—were under-evidenced for most deployments. This review is different from previous ones since it focuses on cultural adaptability, ethics, and hybrid public health incorporation and proposes a comprehensive approach for deploying AI mental health chatbots safely, effectively, and inclusively. Central to this review, symmetry is emphasized as a fundamental idea incorporated into frameworks for cultural adaptation, decision-making processes, and therapeutic structures. In particular, symmetry ensures equal cultural responsiveness, balanced user–chatbot interactions, and ethically aligned AI systems, all of which enhance the efficacy and dependability of mental health services. Recognizing these benefits, the review further underscores the necessity for more rigorous academic research into the development, deployment, and evaluation of mental health chatbots and apps, particularly to address cultural sensitivity, ethical accountability, and long-term clinical outcomes. Full article

In the context of sustainable architecture, buildings are no longer isolated entities but are integral components of a broader built environment that shapes and responds to human life. As part of this evolving architectural landscape, immersive digital cultural heritage spaces—such as virtual museums—are emerging as dynamic environments that contribute not only to cultural preservation but also to human well-being. This study examines how multisensory spatial design in virtual heritage environments can meet the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of users, aligning with the principles of smart, responsive architecture. A total of 325 participants experienced three immersive VR scenarios integrating different sensory inputs: visual–auditory, visual–auditory–tactile, and visual–auditory–olfactory. Through factor analyses, a three-dimensional model of user experience was identified, encompassing immersion, cultural engagement, and personalization. Structural equation modeling revealed that informational clarity significantly enhanced immersion (β = 0.617, p < 0.001), while emotional resonance was central to personalization (β = 0.571, p < 0.001). Moreover, ANOVA results indicated significant experiential differences among sensory conditions (F = 4.324, p = 0.014), with the visual–auditory modality receiving the highest user ratings. These findings demonstrate how digital cultural spaces—when designed with human sensory systems in mind—can foster emotionally rich, informative, and sustainable environments. By extending the role of architecture into the digital domain, this study offers insight into how technology, when guided by human-centered design, can create smart environments that support both ecological responsibility and enhanced human experience. Full article

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and as an emerging condition in the DSM-5. IGD is increasingly prevalent, with various negative effects on individuals’ development and adaptation. To address this issue, different therapeutic interventions, like CBT, virtual reality, mindfulness, or family therapy, have been explored. This systematic review aimed to answer the following research question: What is the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in reducing IGD symptoms in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with this disorder? Following PRISMA guidelines, 22 studies published between 2014 and 2025 were included. Results show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective intervention, significantly reducing IGD severity, anxiety, and depression. Combining CBT with physical exercise or mindfulness further enhanced outcomes. Other promising approaches include virtual reality (VR), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and family-based interventions. Additionally, treatments involving mindfulness and animal-assisted therapy showed potential in improving emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. However, further research is needed to evaluate long-term efficacy and explore emerging therapies. Full article

The aging population increases the need for accessible interventions for cognitive training of the elderly to preserve cognitive health. Serious games have been widely used for this purpose, with many existing applications leveraging virtual reality (VR) technology. In contrast, this study explores the potential of augmented reality (AR) for cognitive training. The literature review shows that cognitive training interventions typically employ supermarket-themed serious games that are used extensively in such interventions. MarketMind AR is a supermarket-themed serious game that was created to train memory, attention, and executive function using mobile phone sensors such as cameras, accelerometers, and gyroscopes to interact and recognize the environment. Fifteen older adults participated in a three-attempt trial and completed the System Usability Scale (SUS), the in-game Game Experience Questionnaire (iGEQ), and an adapted version of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) questionnaires. Qualitative interviews and in-game data (e.g., completion times, PIN recall) were also examined. The results indicated that participants had a positive experience, confirming ease of use, immersive appeal, and perceived cognitive benefits, despite some difficulties with environment scanning and object detection. The results provide evidence that an AR supermarket game leveraging mobile sensors has the potential to be an effective cognitive training tool for older adults. Full article

Background: Serious games (SGs) are primarily aimed at promoting learning, skills training, and rehabilitation. Artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, the metaverse, and neurotechnologies promise the next revolution in gaming. Meta-skills are considered the “must-have” skills for thriving in the era of rapid change, complexity, and innovation. Μeta-skills can be defined as a set of higher-order skills that incorporate metacognitive, meta-emotional, and meta-motivational attributes, enabling one to be mindful, self-motivated, self-regulated, and flexible in different circumstances. Skillfulness, and more specifically meta-skills development, is recognized as a predictor of optimal performance along with mental and emotional wellness. Nevertheless, there is still limited knowledge about the effectiveness of integrating cutting-edge technologies in serious games, especially in the field of meta-skills training. Objectives: The current systematic review aims to collect and synthesize evidence concerning the effectiveness of advanced technologies in serious gaming for promoting meta-skills development. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was employed to identify experimental studies conducted in the last 10 years. Four different databases were employed: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Results: Forty-nine studies were selected. Promising outcomes were identified in AI-based SGs (i.e., gamified chatbots) as they provided realistic, adaptive, personalized, and interactive environments using natural language processing, player modeling, reinforcement learning, GPT-based models, data analytics, and assessment. Immersive technologies, including the metaverse, virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, provided realistic simulations, interactive environments, and sensory engagement, making training experiences more impactful. Non-invasive neurotechnologies were found to encourage players’ training by monitoring brain activity and adapting gameplay to players’ mental states. Healthy participants (n = 29 studies) as well as participants diagnosed with anxiety, neurodevelopmental disorders, and cognitive impairments exhibited improvements in a wide range of meta-skills, including self-regulation, cognitive control, attention regulation, meta-memory skills, flexibility, self-reflection, and self-evaluation. Players were more self-motivated with an increased feeling of self-confidence and self-efficacy. They had a more accurate self-perception. At the emotional level, improvements were observed in emotional regulation, empathy, and stress management skills. At the social level, social awareness was enhanced since they could more easily solve conflicts, communicate, and work in teams. Systematic training led to improvements in higher-order thinking skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving skills, reasoning, decision-making ability, and abstract thinking. Discussion: Special focus is given to the potential benefits, possible risks, and ethical concerns; future directions and implications are also discussed. The results of the current review may have implications for the design and implementation of innovative serious games for promoting skillfulness among populations with different training needs. Full article

This study explores the use of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) cave environments to investigate hypotheses concerning altered states of consciousness, creativity, and flexible thinking in archaeological contexts. Building on the premise that ancient humans used caves as sites for rituals involving altered consciousness, we recreated a virtual cave environment to simulate these experiences and examine their impact on participants’ cognitive processes. Participants engaged in pareidolic tasks within both a virtual cave and a virtual open-space environment, allowing for comparative analysis of semantic network organization and subjective experiences. Our findings show that the cave environment elicited higher emotional arousal and spiritual engagement, as well as an improvement in the aspects of creativity and flexible thinking. These results suggest that VR can serve as a powerful tool in archaeology for reconstructing early humans’ experiences and investigating their psychological and cognitive states, thus providing new insights into their use of caves for mind-altering or ritualistic purposes. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to both cognitive archaeology and the development of immersive VR technologies in scientific research. Full article

Novel treatment approaches for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) include the use of mindfulness and technology-based interventions. Mindfulness has been shown as a protective factor against IGD, but the treatment dropout rates are high due to long sessions and treatment duration. Pathological gamers show approach bias towards technological gadgets, and the inclusion of Virtual Reality has been effective in IGD treatment. Due to the effectiveness of mindfulness and the attractiveness of VR, a combined intervention could decrease treatment time and willingness for treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a brief VR-based mindfulness intervention on IGD symptomatology. Nine participants meeting the IGD symptom criteria, ten recreational game users, and eight healthy controls without a gaming history participated in the study. The intervention consisted of four weekly 20-min-long Attentional Focus Mindfulness sessions. The results indicate a significant reduction in IGD symptoms and weekend gaming time in the treatment group. Despite the small sample size in the treatment group (n = 9) and lack of randomization, the findings constitute a valuable starting point. As a cost- and time-effective intervention, this approach could reduce dropout rates and increase treatment adherence, especially in younger gamers. Additional studies with a larger sample size, randomization, and a longitudinal approach are needed to further validate the found results. Full article