The impact of virtual reality-based forest therapy in psychiatric inpatient care: a pilot study

Objective This study evaluated the effectiveness of a Virtual Reality (VR)-based Forest Therapy program in reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and physiological distress among psychiatric inpatients.Method A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 16 inpatients (mean age: 38) in a clinical setting. Participants engaged in four immersive VR sessions simulating forest environments. Psychometric assessments included the DASS-21 and WHO-5, administered pre- and post-intervention. Autonomic responses were monitored via Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Electrodermal Activity (EDA).Results Following the intervention, participants showed statistically significant improvements in depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being scores (p < .001). While changes in physiological indicators (HRV and EDA) were not statistically significant, observed trends suggested increased autonomic stability and relaxation.Discussion The findings suggest that VR-based Forest Therapy appears to be a promising, accessible intervention for promoting wellbeing in psychiatric settings with limited nature access. While the results are encouraging, the lack of a control group and follow-up data limits conclusions regarding long-term durability. Further research with larger samples is required to validate these findings.