(PS7-A23) The Use of Virtual Reality Based Mindfulness Interventions on Inpatient Populations: A Pilot Study

Intro: Virtual reality (VR) based mindfulness interventions have the potential to augment existing therapies for patients with severe mental illness (SMI) and addiction. In the context of pandemic driven fluctuating restrictions in inpatient mental health care that left patients frequently feeling isolated and lonely, we implemented a VR based intervention program aimed to reduce distress. We hypothesized that VR augmentation of inpatient group therapy would be feasible, accepted among patients and would reduce subjective anxiety. 

Methods: Over the course of six months, July 2021 through January 2022, within weekly mindfulness groups on inpatient general psychiatry (SMI population) and addiction recovery units (non–psychiatrically acute population) we introduced VR assisted mindfulness exercises. The concept of mindfulness was introduced at the onset of group, and patients were offered sequential use of VR immersive environments (e.g., beach, forest etc) for five minutes at a time. While each patient was using the VR headset, they were asked to describe what they were seeing; the remaining group members were instructed to close their eyes and visualize what the VR participant was describing. The VR headset was then disinfected and given to the next group participant. To increase emotional awareness, patients rated subjective units of distress (SUDS) on a scale from 0 (none) through 100 (maximum) before and after the VR mindfulness exercise. Participants were instructed to observe their physical and emotional states both while using the VR and while visualizing through group members’ experiences. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate change in SUDS pre- and post- VR intervention use.

Results: Over the course of our six month pilot intervention, VR augmented mindfulness was well accepted as 85 inpatients on the addiction recovery service and 35 inpatients on the general psychiatry unit participated in VR mindfulness augmentation groups. There was a significant reduction in SUD’s for patients in the addiction recovery unit (Mean change=13.0, SD=14.9, t(84)=8.029, p< .001) and in the general psychiatric unit (Mean change=15.1, SD=14.68, t(37)=6.35, p< .001). 

Conclusion: VR based mindfulness can be delivered in a group format in inpatient units as a quick and effective way to reduce experienced distress and introduce coping skills. Further research is needed to explore the clinical implications and benefits of virtual reality based mindfulness interventions on inpatient units.