VR-guided slow breathing with mystical visuals for stress relief
Assessing the Acute Effects of Virtual Reality Interventions on Stress: A Four-Arm RCT
This trial tests whether combining slow-paced breathing with immersive 'mystical' virtual reality reduces stress in healthy German-speaking adults aged 18-35 with elevated perceived stress.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Basel Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Basel, Canton of Basel-City) |
| Trial ID | NCT07191288 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a randomized, four-arm trial comparing an immersive VR slow-breathing intervention with mystical elements, a VR mystical-only condition, a non-VR computer-guided slow-breathing condition, and a VR control. Participants are healthy, German-speaking adults aged 18-35 with elevated perceived stress (PSQ-30 > 60) who are randomized to a single acute session and monitored for subjective and physiological stress markers. Outcomes include self-reported stress measures and physiological indicators such as heart rate and heart rate variability collected before, during, and after the interventions. Key exclusions include current psychiatric diagnoses, high depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 >= 10 or suicidal ideation), chronic medication use, and uncorrected visual impairment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy, German-speaking adults aged 18-35 with elevated perceived stress (PSQ-30 > 60) and no current psychiatric diagnoses or chronic medication use.
Not a fit: People with current psychiatric conditions, high depressive symptoms or suicidal ideation, uncorrected visual impairment, chronic medication use (except contraceptives), non-German speakers, or those outside the 18-35 age range are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could offer a fast, non-drug, scalable way to reduce acute stress using VR-guided breathing.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows slow-paced breathing and biofeedback can reduce stress and VR relaxation protocols have shown promise, but combining breathing with mystical-type immersive VR elements is a relatively new approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * \> 60 points on the PSQ-30 out of a maximum 120-point scale in the screening * Healthy * Aged between 18-35 * Fluent in German Exclusion Criteria: * A current diagnosis of psychiatric disorders (self-reported) * Chronic medication use (except oral contraceptives) * Parallel participation in another medical or psychological study * Suicidal tendencies (PHQ-9 item 9 \> 0)3 * PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 * A visual impairment not corrected by glasses or contact lenses
Where this trial is running
Basel, Canton of Basel-City
- University of Basel, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience — Basel, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Fabian Mueller, Msc
- Email: fabi.mueller@unibas.ch
- Phone: +41612070272
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.