VR for Well-Being: Reducing Student Stress Through Immersive Experiences

This study explores the development and evaluation of a virtual reality-based application (VR) designed to reduce stress among university students. The application offers four relaxation scenarios: a cognitive-behavioral reflection session, Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation, laughter therapy, and an interactive, movement-based distraction scenario. The design process included a survey and a participatory research workshop to align the content with users’ preferences. After usability testing and subsequent refinement, the application was evaluated in a controlled study with 82 students. Participants selected one scenario and completed the STAI questionnaire before and after the session to assess stress reduction. User experience was measured with the VRSUQ. Following the controlled evaluation, the application was deployed on campus for three months, allowing for naturalistic observation. Data on usage frequency, session duration, and self-reported mood were collected. Results showed a significant decrease in stress levels and high user satisfaction, highlighting the potential of VR as an effective tool for enhancing student well-being and stress management.