"Tech" a Deep Breath: Technology-guided Breathing Practise With or Without a Social Robot for Psychological and Emotional Well-Being

Most mental health conditions emerge during adolescence, making university years pivotal for intervention. Nearly 30% of students worldwide experience mental health difficulties, yet support remains constrained by stigma and limited resources. This work investigates how interactive technologies, integrated with a wearable heart-rate sensor, can enhance psychological and emotional well-being through the ancient yogic breathing practice, Nadi Shuddhi. We developed two autonomous, adaptive systems - one combining a social robot with a tablet, and one tablet-only, both delivering real-time guidance based on heart-rate variability and breath rate. A study involving 42 university students across 200 sessions revealed both systems significantly increased parasympathetic activation, mindfulness, and calmness while reducing short-term stress and depression symptoms. Compared to a tablet-only condition, the robot’s physical presence led to a significant decrease in breath rate, improved mood, higher competence, and more positive user perceptions, while usability remained comparable, highlighting its potential for supporting youth mental health through social robots with biofeedback.