JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are widespread pathologies that cause non-reversible airflow limitations as well as a variety of extrapulmonary adverse effects. For these reasons, these pathologies are related to frequent hospitalizations and, consequently, high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. In this respect, relaxation in Virtual Reality (VR) integrated with savoring, which is the ability to generate and amplify positive emotions, can be used to increase well-being and relaxation in CRDs patients.

Objective:

This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a two-week VR-based relaxation intervention integrated with savoring in CRDs patients in increasing emotional and psychological well-being, positive emotions, relaxation, oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) and decreasing negative emotions.

Methods:

This study involved 45 hospitalized CRDs patients from the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit of IRCCS INRCA Casatenovo. Alongside traditional pulmonary rehabilitation, the experimental group (N = 23) took part in the four-session VR-based intervention, while the active control group (N = 22) listened to relaxing music. In each session, the experimental group experienced a relaxing virtual scenario followed by a savoring exercise. Both groups filled out the self-reported questionnaires before the intervention (T0), after (T1), and in the one-month follow-up (T2), and before and after each session. The experimental group's VR acceptance and sense of presence were also measured.

Results:

Regarding the primary outcomes, taking T0 and T1 into account, repeated measures ANCOVAs revealed a significant increase for the experimental group in emotional and psychological well-being, positive emotions, relaxation, and a significant decrease in negative emotions compared to the control group. The psychological changes were maintained at T2. Concerning secondary outcomes, patients reported high VR acceptance and sense of presence.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that relaxation VR integrated with savoring can promote well-being and reduce clinical symptoms not only in the post-intervention, but also in the long term. Indeed, savoring can amplify the positive effects of relaxing VR and help patients to focus and amplify their positive experiences, thus counteracting the negative psychological consequences of CRDs. Clinical Trial: anzctr.org, ACTRN12624000435583; https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12624000435583.aspx (retrospectively registered). This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the IRCCS INRCA Casatenovo but for administrative issues the trial registration was no completed prospectively. The registration was therefore completed retrospectively before data analysis and paper writing.