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Virtual environments for relaxation and wellbeing: a pilot study

dc.contributor.advisorAlmeida, Raquel Simões de
dc.contributor.authorMonteiro, Maria Luís Freitas
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-11T15:20:01Z
dc.date.available2025-03-11T15:20:01Z
dc.date.issued2024-11-08
dc.date.submitted2024-11-08
dc.description.abstractThere are many benefits to exposure to nature, and as VR continues to develop, it could provide a flexible intervention for vulnerable populations. Mental health can be promoted through vitual exposure to nature, and VR technology is best placed to provide the most realistic and immersive forest environments. The presente study aims to assess the feasibility of an eight-week VR-based forest therapy programme as an intervention to promote and improve the wellbeing and relaxation of people with experience of symptoms of anxiety, stress and/ or depression. A pilot study with a quasi-experimental research design was conducted in 20 adults recruited through and online survey and selected according to the desired criteria. Depression, anxiety and stress levels were accessed every session, before and after the VR immersion using DASS-21. Mental wellbeing was measured by WEMWBS at the beginning, halfway and end of the programme. A decrease to normal levels of depresion, anxiety and stress was reported, as well as an increase of mental wellbeing levels. Follow-up results showed no significant statistical differences comparatively to the last session, indicating last effects. An FT intervention programme using VR technology has potential to promote relaxation and wellbeing while reducing depression, anxiety and stress symptoms.por
dc.identifier.tid203880455
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/29839
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rights.uriN/A
dc.subjectForest therapy
dc.subjectVirtual reality
dc.subjectAnxiety
dc.subjectStress
dc.subjectDepression
dc.subjectWellbeing
dc.titleVirtual environments for relaxation and wellbeing: a pilot studypor
dc.typemaster thesis
dspace.entity.typePublication

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