Scientific studies
The research behind virtual reality relaxation.
Relax VR has been used in seven peer-reviewed studies, in hospitals, hospices and universities across seven countries. Each part of the experience also rests on its own body of research.
7
peer-reviewed studies using Relax VR
7
countries, from Singapore to the UK
389
patients and participants
85%
higher pain tolerance in a controlled study
Why VR works
Two decades of evidence behind the headset.
History
Virtual reality is not a new technology. More than twenty years of research support its clinical value as a tool for mental health and behavioural issues.
Presence
VR can evoke the same reactions, thoughts and emotions as a real experience. A virtual beach can make you feel much as a real one would.
Efficacy
Numerous studies show VR-based treatments can reduce stress and anxiety more efficiently than some traditional techniques, such as cognitive behavioural therapy.
Studies on Relax VR
Tested in real clinical settings.
Independent teams have studied Relax VR before surgery, in intensive care, cardiac rehabilitation and palliative care, and with healthy volunteers.
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Singapore
Women undergoing minor gynaecological surgery used Relax VR before their procedure. One of the first studies of VR in the pre-operative period in a real clinical setting.
- Lower anxiety
- Lower depression
- Less pain and discomfort
University of Florida Health
USA
A pilot study in surgical and trauma intensive care units with adult patients who were not intubated.
- Lower anxiety and depression
- Rated comfortable and enjoyable, and helped patients manage pain
- Easy to implement in an ICU
Military Institute of Medicine
Poland
Adults in hospital cardiac rehabilitation, compared with a control group.
- Anxiety fell in the Relax VR group
- Anxiety stayed level in the control group
- A viable way to reduce negative emotions in cardiac patients
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust and Marie Curie Hospice
United Kingdom
Patients and caregivers used a five-minute guided relaxation, and seven staff members gave their views.
- Well received by patients, caregivers and staff
- Every participant wanted to use it again
- No side effects or complications
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
Argentina
A controlled study of whether adding a therapeutic narrative to a nature-based VR scene improves its pain-relieving effect.
- Pain tolerance rose by 85.35%
- More enjoyment during the painful procedure
- Time seemed to pass more quickly
Universitat de Vic, Universitat Central de Catalunya
Spain
A pilot study by the Psychology Department on relaxation and positive emotions in healthy adults.
- Significantly lower anxiety and negative emotions
- A more positive mood
- A promising stress-management tool
Russian-Armenian University
Armenia
Volunteers aged 18 to 45 had a single session: a tropical beach with a five-minute breath-awareness meditation.
- A marked fall in anxiety and negative emotions
- One session was enough to lift mood
The wider evidence
Every sense has its own research.
Relax VR combines four well-studied practices. Choose one to see what the research shows.
Virtual reality
Nature-based virtual environments are linked to lower stress, support meditation practice, and have a long record in treating anxiety.
Reduces stress and brings on positive emotions when natural scenes are used
Anderson et al., 2017Annerstedt et al., 2013Liszio et al., 2018Tanja-Dijkstra et al., 2014Tanja-Dijkstra et al., 2018
Supports relaxation and meditation practice with natural scenes
Fusco, Di Nunzio & Moccia, 2018Freeman et al., 2004Preziosa et al., 2005Riva, Gorini & Gaggioli, 2009Repetto et al., 2009
Treats anxiety-related disorders
Carl et al., 2019Meyerbröker & Emmelkamp, 2010Opris et al., 2012Parsons & Rizzo, 2008Powers & Emmelkamp, 2008
Aromatherapy
Recent studies support essential oils for emotional wellbeing and balancing mood, in the general population and in a range of patient groups.
Helps manage stress and anxiety in the general population
Ndao et al., 2012Seyyed-Rasooli et al., 2016Tugut et al., 2017Uek et al., 2014
And in patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease or chronic renal failure
Ozkaraman et al., 2018Pimenta et al., 2016Yayla & Ozdemir, 2019Fazlollahpour-Roni et al., 2019Hasanzadeh et al., 2016Moslemi et al., 2019Najafi et al., 2014Barati et al., 2016
Helps control acute pain
Lamadah & Nomani, 2016Mirzai et al., 2009Tafazoli et al., 2011
Lowers depression through antidepressant effects
Improves sleep problems such as insomnia
Recommended for rheumatic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques like the guided meditations in Relax VR are linked to better wellbeing, lower anxiety and better sleep.
Improves quality of life and emotional wellbeing
Reduces anxiety, stress, fatigue and depression
Chen et al., 2017Klainin-Yobas et al., 2015Kwekkeboom & Bratzke, 2016Nooner et al., 2016Zhou et al., 2015
Recommended for people with insomnia
Supports performance and recovery in athletes
Kellmann, Pelka & Beckmann, 2018Parnabas et al., 2014
Has positive effects during pregnancy
Binaural beats
Binaural beats and binaural beat music affect how the listener thinks and feels. The research points to calm, lower anxiety, pain relief and better sleep.
Brings on relaxation
Reduces anxiety and aids recovery from stress, including in military members
Le Scouarnec et al., 2001Wahbeh et al., 2007Kelton et al., 2021Bustamante-Sánchez et al., 2020Gantt et al., 2017
Reduces anxiety and stress in medical settings
Kurdi & Gasti, 2018Padmanabhan et al., 2005Schmid et al., 2020Weiland et al., 2011
Helps control acute and chronic pain
Dabu-Bondoc et al., 2010Ecsy et al., 2017Roshani et al., 2019Zampi, 2016
Improves sleep quality
Abeln et al., 2014Bakaeva et al., 2021Bang et al., 2019Shumov et al., 2020
Research in progress
We partner with leading research institutions.
These studies are under way now.
Research teams interested in working with Relax VR can get in touch.
“Virtual reality and multisensory immersion is the next frontier of mind-body wellness.”
Suzanne Holbrook, Senior Director, Global Spa, Fitness & Wellness, Marriott
Relax VR supports relaxation and wellbeing. It is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat or cure any condition.