Supplements

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) reduces negative affect in college students with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms

This pilot RCT with 70 college students found that a standardized IVR game intervention, added to routine psychological guidance, significantly reduced negative affect (NA) over time compared to control (group-by-time interaction p < 0.001). Sustained reductions in NA were observed starting at T3 in the intervention group. No significant improvements were found in core depression severity (HAMD-17) or in sleep quality after correction, though sleep quality showed a trend toward improvement.

Last updated: Aug 21, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Immersive virtual reality as an auxiliary intervention for college students with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

observational

Xie Z, Liang Q, Xu L, Xie J, Xie S, Zou L · Frontiers in psychology (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Not specified in abstract (T3 to T6 time points suggest several weeks)
Intervention: Standardized immersive virtual reality (IVR) game program added to routine psychological guidance
Outcome: Negative affect (NA), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), depression severity (HAMD-17)
Effect Size: Medium effect size for PSQI between-group difference at T6 (exact value not reported)
Population: Chinese college students with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms

Result:

PubMed: 42614257DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1792596

Mechanism Graph

IVR provides immersive, engaging experiences that may distract from negative thoughts
↓
IVR may induce positive emotions and relaxation
↓
Repeated exposure may help regulate emotions
↓
Result: Reduced negative affect

Limitations

  • ⚠Pilot study with small sample size (n=70)
  • ⚠No significant improvement in core depression severity (HAMD-17)
  • ⚠Sleep quality improvement did not reach statistical significance after Bonferroni correction
  • ⚠Exploratory findings cannot infer broader clinical antidepressant effects

Frequently Asked Questions

Does IVR reduce depression severity in college students?▼

No, this study found no significant improvement in HAMD-17 scores, so IVR did not reduce core depression severity.

Does IVR improve sleep quality?▼

There was a trend toward improved sleep quality (PSQI) with a medium effect size, but it did not reach statistical significance after correction, so it is not confirmed.

What is the main benefit of IVR in this study?▼

The main benefit was a sustained reduction in negative affect, which started at T3 and was significant.

Who was studied in this trial?▼

Chinese college students with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms, 70 participants in total.

Products

Affiliate links coming soon. We only recommend products that match the doses and forms used in the cited research.

References

  1. 1.Xie Z, Liang Q, Xu L, Xie J, Xie S, Zou L. "Immersive virtual reality as an auxiliary intervention for college students with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms: a pilot randomized controlled trial.." Frontiers in psychology, 2026. PMID: 42614257 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1792596
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.