Virtual Reality for Anxiety Reduction: A Mixed-Methods Preliminary Study on Blue Space Environments Among Healthy Participants.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a prevalent issue among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, significantly impacting their treatment and quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising nonpharmacological intervention to reduce anxiety by providing immersive, distraction-based experiences. This study introduces a VR application featuring the Seribu Islands, designed to alleviate anxiety through exposure to natural environments. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the VR Seribu Island in reducing anxiety, evaluate user experience (UX), and identify potential cybersickness symptoms among healthy participants. METHODS: A mixed-methods design was used to evaluate 30 healthy participants who interacted with the VR Seribu Island. Pre and Postexposure anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). UX was assessed via a questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews explored participant perceptions. Cybersickness symptoms were evaluated using the Cybersickness Syndrome Questionnaire (CSQ-VR). RESULTS: Post-VR anxiety scores were significantly lower than pre-VR scores (median difference = 8.0, 95% CI [4.39, 8.61], p = 0.001, r = 0.83), indicating a reduction in anxiety. Participants reported high satisfaction with the VR experience, with an average score of 4.48 out of 5. Cybersickness symptoms were minimal, with low severity reported across most metrics. CONCLUSIONS: The VR Seribu Island significantly reduced anxiety and was well received by participants. This preliminary study supports further investigation of VR as a therapeutic tool for anxiety management in clinical populations.