VR Calm Plus: Coupling a Squeezable Tangible Interaction with Immersive VR for Stress Regulation

TL;DR

VR Calm Plus integrates a squeezable plush toy into immersive VR to enhance stress relief, showing improved emotional and physiological relaxation compared to visual-only VR experiences.

Contribution

This work introduces a novel multimodal VR system combining tangible squeezing interaction with immersive environments for stress regulation.

Findings

Squeeze interaction significantly increased positive affect and relaxation.

Physiological measures showed greater heart rate reduction and maintained autonomic flexibility.

Participants reported higher perceived relaxation with squeeze-based VR.

Abstract

While Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly employed for stress management, most applications rely heavily on audio-visual stimuli and overlook the therapeutic potential of squeezing engagement. To address this gap, we introduce VR Calm Plus, a multimodal system that integrates a pressure-sensitive plush toy into an interactive VR environment. This interface allows users to dynamically modulate the virtual atmosphere through physical squeezing actions, fostering a deeper sense of embodied relaxation. We evaluated the system with 40 participants using PANAS-X surveys, subjective questionnaires, physiological measures (heart rate, skin conductance, pulse rate variability), and semi-structured interviews. Results demonstrate that, compared to a visual-only baseline, squeeze-based interaction significantly enhances positive affect and perceived relaxation. Physiological data further revealed a state of "active relaxation", characterized by greater reductions in heart rate and preserved autonomic flexibility (PRV), alongside sustained emotional engagement (GSR). Our findings highlight the value of coupling tangible input with immersive environments to support emotional well-being and offer design insights for future VR-based mental health tools.