Skip to main content

Immersive VR as a Promising Technology for Computer-Supported Mindfulness

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Computer Graphics (AVR 2021)

Abstract

Therapeutic effects of Mindfulness meditation practices in clinical interventions, specifically in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, chronic and acute pain are scientifically well founded. Mindfulness is increasingly being supported by technology and among various interventions immersive VR seems rather peculiar due to its ability to improve decentering and interoceptive awareness. A systematic review on Virtual Reality supported Mindfulness is currently being published. In this paper, some preliminary results of this review are presented, also providing a brief discussion about a possible evolutionary technological trend, on the basis of the input and output perceptual domains exploited.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lutz, A., Slagter, H.A., Dunne, J.D., Davidson, R.J.: Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Trends Cogn. Sci. 12, 163–169 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Lomas, T., Ivtzan, I., Fu, C.H.: A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on eeg oscillations. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 57, 401–410 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Chiesa, A., Calati, R., Serretti, A.: Does mindfulness training improve cognitive abilities? a systematic review of neuropsychological findings. Clin. Psychol. Rev. 31, 449–464 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Raffone, A., Srinivasan, N.: The exploration of meditation in the neuroscience of attention and consciousness (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Cahn, B.R., Polich, J.: Meditation states and traits: Eeg, erp, and neuroimaging studies. Psychol. Bull. 132, 180 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Kabat-Zinn, J.: Mindfulness-based interventions in context: past, present, and future. Clin. Psychol. Sci. Pract. 10, 144–156 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bishop, S.R., et al.: Mindfulness: a proposed operational definition. Clin. Psychol. Sci. Pract. 11, 230–241 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Chittaro, L., Vianello, A.: Computer-supported mindfulness: Evaluation of a mobile thought distancing application on naive meditators. Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud. 72, 337–348 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Krusche, A., Cyhlarova, E., King, S., Williams, J.M.G.: Mindfulness online: a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility of a web-based mindfulness course and the impact on stress. BMJ open 2 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gardner-Nix, J., Backman, S., Barbati, J., Grummitt, J.: Evaluating distance education of a mindfulness-based meditation programme for chronic pain management. J. Telemed. Telecare 14, 88–92 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Kristjánsdóttir, Ó.B., et al.: Written online situational feedback via mobile phone to support self-management of chronic widespread pain: a usability study of a web-based intervention. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord. 12, 51 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Ljótsson, B., et al.: Internet-delivered exposure and mindfulness based therapy for irritable bowel syndrome-a randomized controlled trial. Behav. Res. Ther. 48, 531–539 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Thompson, N.J., et al.: Distance delivery of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: project uplift. Epilepsy Behav. 19, 247–254 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Glück, T.M., Maercker, A.: A randomized controlled pilot study of a brief web-based mindfulness training. BMC Psychiatry 11, 175 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hudlicka, E.: Virtual training and coaching of health behavior: example from mindfulness meditation training. Patient Educ. Couns. 92, 160–166 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Gatto, C. et al. Xr-based mindfulness and art therapy: Facing the psychological impact of covid-19 emergency. In International Conference on Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Computer Graphics, 147–155 (Springer, 2020)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Moseley, G.L., Gallace, A., Spence, C.: Bodily illusions in health and disease: physiological and clinical perspectives and the concept of a cortical ‘body matrix’. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 36, 34–46 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Riva, G., Serino, S., Di Lernia, D., Pavone, E.F., Dakanalis, A.: Embodied medicine: mens sana in corpore virtuale sano. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 11, 120 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Döllinger, N., Wienrich, C., Latoschik, M.E.: Challenges and opportunities of immersive technologies for mindfulness meditation: a systematic review. Frontiers Virtual Reality 2, 29 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Kitchenham, B.: Procedures for performing systematic reviews. Keele, UK, Keele University 33, 1–26 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Bostock, S., Crosswell, A.D., Prather, A.A., Steptoe, A.: Mindfulness on-the-go: effects of a mindfulness meditation app on work stress and well-being. J. Occup. Health Psychol. 24, 127 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Sager. Lotus Bud Mindfulness Bell (Version 1.0) [Mobile application software] (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Hangen. Zazen Suite - Meditation Timer & Mindfulness Bell (Version 1.13) (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Inc., M. W. Mindfulness Meditation (Version 3.0) [Mobile application software] (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  25. The Mindfulness App (Version 1.5) [Mobile application software] (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Headspace. Headspace - Your guide to health and happiness (2015). https://www.headspace.com/

  27. Ltd, M. E. Buddhify: Meditation & Mindfulness App. (2019). https://buddhify.com/

  28. Wolffram, J.T.: Just Let Go (Version 1.0) [Mobile applicationsoftware] (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Bowers. The Shredder (Version 1.0) [Mobile application software] (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Keru. Throw your worry away! (Version 1.2) [Mobile application software] (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Dontworrycompany. Worrydoll lite (Version 1.01) [Mobile applicationsoftware] (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Mindfulness TS (Version 2.1) [Mobile application software] (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Interaxon. Muse (2014). https://choosemuse.com/

  34. Ahtinen, A., et al.: Mobile mental wellness training for stress management: feasibility and design implications based on a one-month field study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 1, e11 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Ly, K.H., et al.: Behavioural activation versus mindfulness-based guided self-help treatment administered through a smartphone application: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ open 4 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Carissoli, C., Villani, D., Riva, G.: Does a meditation protocol supported by a mobile application help people reduce stress? suggestions from a controlled pragmatic trial. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw. 18, 46–53 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Fresco, D.M., et al.: Initial psychometric properties of the experiences questionnaire: validation of a self-report measure of decentering. Behav. Ther. 38, 234–246 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Farb, N., et al.: Interoception, contemplative practice, and health. Front. Psychol. 6, 763 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Kessel, R., et al.: Exploring the relationship of decentering to health related concepts and cognitive and metacognitive processes in a student sample. BMC psychology 4, 1–10 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Hanley, A.W., Mehling, W.E., Garland, E.L.: Holding the body in mind: Interoceptive awareness, dispositional mindfulness and psychological well-being. J. Psychosom. Res. 99, 13–20 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Hölzel, B.K., et al.: How does mindfulness meditation work? proposing mechanisms of action from a conceptual and neural perspective. Perspect. Psychol. Sci. 6, 537–559 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Riva, G., Wiederhold, B.K., Mantovani, F.: Neuroscience of virtual reality: from virtual exposure to embodied medicine. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw. 22, 82–96 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Navarro-Haro, M.V., et al.: Meditation experts try virtual reality mindfulness: A pilot study evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of virtual reality to facilitate mindfulness practice in people attending a mindfulness conference. PLoS ONE 12, e0187777 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Seol, E., et al.: Drop the beat: virtual reality based mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder–a pilot study. In: Proceedings of the 23rd ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology, pp. 1–3 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Paredes, P.E., et al.: Driving with the fishes: towards calming and mindful virtual reality experiences for the car. Proc. ACM Interactive, Mobile, Wearable Ubiquitous Technol. 2, 1–21 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Sas, C., Chopra, R.: Meditaid: a wearable adaptive neurofeedback-based system for training mindfulness state. Pers. Ubiquit. Comput. 19, 1169–1182 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Micaroni, L., Carulli, M., Ferrise, F., Gallace, A., Bordegoni, M.: An olfactory display to study the integration of vision and olfaction in a virtual reality environment. J. Comput. Inf. Sci. Eng. 19, 031015 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Vi, C.T., Ablart, D., Arthur, D., Obrist, M.: Gustatory interface: the challenges of ‘how’to stimulate the sense of taste. In: Proceedings of the 2nd ACM SIGCHI International Workshop on Multisensory Approaches to Human-Food Interaction, pp. 29–33 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Roo, J.S., Gervais, R., Frey, J., Hachet, M.: Inner garden: connecting inner states to a mixed reality sandbox for mindfulness. In: Proceedings of the 2017 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1459–1470 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Cikajlo, I., Čižman-Štaba, U., Vrhovac, S., Larkin, F., Roddy, M.: Recovr: realising collaborative virtual reality for wellbeing and self-healing. In: Proceedings of the 3rd IASTED International Conference Telehealth Assistive Technology TAT, pp. 11–17 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Gromala, D., et al.: Immersive vr: a non-pharmacological analgesic for chronic pain? In: CHI’11 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1171–1176 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Kosunen, I., et al.: Relaworld: neuroadaptive and immersive virtual reality meditation system. In: Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces, pp. 208–217 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  53. Blum, J., Rockstroh, C., Göritz, A.S.: Heart rate variability biofeedback based on slow-paced breathing with immersive virtual reality nature scenery. Front. Psychol. 10, 2172 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lucio Tommaso De Paolis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

De Paolis, L.T., Arpaia, P., D’Errico, G., Gatto, C., Moccaldi, N., Nuccetelli, F. (2021). Immersive VR as a Promising Technology for Computer-Supported Mindfulness. In: De Paolis, L.T., Arpaia, P., Bourdot, P. (eds) Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Computer Graphics. AVR 2021. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12980. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87595-4_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87595-4_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-87594-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-87595-4

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics