RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Can Immersive Virtual Reality Environments Improve Stress Reduction? Experimental Design with Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training
A1 Guillén Sanz, Henar
A1 Escolar Llamazares, María del Camino
A1 Quevedo Bayona, Itziar
A1 Martínez Martín, Mª Ángeles
A1 Bustillo Iglesias, Andrés
K1 Anxiety disorders
K1 Progressive muscle relaxation
K1 Psychology
K1 Serious game
K1 Virtual reality
K1 Salud mental
K1 Mental health
K1 Realidad virtual
K1 Virtual reality
AB Psychological relaxation techniques are now fundamental in stress-management and anxiety-disorder prevention training. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) stands out among various other training programmes. However, some limitations restrict its widespread usage, such as the requirements for a therapist to be in attendance and for patients to close their eyes during treatment. In such cases, support through immersive Virtual Reality (iVR) during the training procedure may be a suitable solution. In this study, an iVR application was developed for individuals undergoing PMR training, and an experimental design with both independent and subjective measures was conducted to compare this novel approach with conventional PMR training. The study was validated in two population groups: nursing undergraduates (one training session, n=63) and undergraduates following a test anxiety programme (complete training procedure: 7 sessions, n=13). The results pointed to high satisfaction and relaxation levels across all groups. No significant differences were found between the two methodologies, suggesting that the iVR application could be a useful tool in both educational and clinical contexts. In the long experience group (7 sessions), the iVR students showed higher interest which may have contributed to adherence to the entire training procedure. Furthermore, the iVR tool demonstrated potential suitability users unable to follow conventional procedures, exemplified by a student who, due to her own anxiety-related symptoms, felt very uncomfortable when instructed to close her eyes during the relaxation training.
PB Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
YR 2025
FD 2025-06
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10559
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10559
LA eng
NO This research was partially supported by the SAVOR Project (reference number PID2023-150694OA-I00) funded by MICIU/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by the REMAR and HUMANAID Projects (reference numbers CPP2022-009724 and TED2021-129485B-C43 respectively) funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR by “ERDF/EU”.
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Burgos
RD 19-abr-2026