A pilot study: virtual reality-based intervention to boost optimism and alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression in undergraduates

TL;DR

A VR-based therapy improved optimism and reduced depression in students with low optimism, with effects lasting up to six months.

Contribution

This study introduces a VR-based positive cognitive behavioral therapy for improving optimism and mental health in undergraduates.

Findings

The VR intervention significantly increased optimism and reduced depressive symptoms in the short term.

Optimism gains were maintained for six months, but long-term mental health effects were not significantly different between groups.

VR-based positive psychology interventions show promise as a feasible and engaging mental health support tool for students.

Abstract

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the short- and long-term effectiveness of a Positive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PCBT)–based virtual reality (VR) intervention in enhancing optimism and improving mental health outcomes among undergraduate students with low baseline optimism, compared with a task-based VR control.

Twenty-eight full-time undergraduate students with low optimism [Life Orientation Test–Revised (LOT-R) ≤ 13] were randomly assigned to a PCBT-based VR intervention (n = 15) or a task-based VR control (n = 13). Participants completed six weekly 30-min VR sessions. Optimism, perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Linear mixed-effects models adjusted for age, gender, and academic period were used to evaluate intervention effects across time.

All participants completed post-intervention assessments, and 25 (89.29%) completed the 6-month follow-up. The PCBT-based VR group demonstrated a significant short-term increase in optimism (β = 2.02, p = 0.01) and a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (β = −3.04, p = 0.01) compared with the control group. Anxiety showed a trend toward short-term reduction, while stress did not change significantly. Across the 6-month follow-up, the intervention group maintained higher overall optimism than controls; however, the group-by-time interaction was not significant, indicating similar long-term trajectories for optimism, stress, anxiety, and depression across groups.

A PCBT-based VR intervention produced meaningful short-term improvements in optimism and depressive symptoms among undergraduates with low optimism, with optimism gains sustained for 6 months. These findings suggest that VR-delivered positive psychology interventions may be a feasible and engaging approach to support student mental health. Larger, multi-site trials are needed to confirm efficacy and optimize long-term effects.

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