Virtual nature for mental health
Virtual nature for mental health
Virtual reality (VR) enables people to experience calming, immersive environments that feel real and therefore offers new opportunities for relaxation in mental healthcare. This PhD project of Lisanne Robbemond investigated how virtual nature is perceived to help further development and how such interventions can be meaningfully assessed.
The first part of the thesis explored the experiences and perspectives of patients and mental healthcare professionals using a VR-based relaxation intervention (VRelax). The results showed that VRelax is not experienced in the same way by everyone. How helpful or relaxing VRelax felt depended on personal preferences, mental health symptoms, earlier experiences with technology, and momentary mood. Both patients and clinicians emphasized that VR works best when it can be personalized and when users receive clear instructions and enough professional support.
The second part of the thesis examined what happens in the body during VR relaxation. Using both laboratory studies and measurements in daily life, we found that common physical stress measures, such as heart rate, do not always match how relaxed people say they feel. Physical stress responses varied strongly between people and situations, and feeling relaxed often occurred without clear changes in the body.
Overall, this research shows that VR relaxation can be a valuable addition to mental healthcare, as long as stress is seen as a complex and personal process. Successful use of VR requires tailored content, real-world evaluation, and attention to both subjective experience and bodily responses.