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Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research

Date Submitted: Mar 31, 2025
Date Accepted: Jun 5, 2026

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

Virtual Reality–Based Relaxation Training and Symptom Improvement Among Inpatients With Depressive Disorders: Retrospective Nonrandomized Comparative Study

Liu L, Zhao W, he m, Yang X, Yu K, Ding N, Tian W, Liu G, Zhang G, Zhang Y

Virtual Reality–Based Relaxation Training and Symptom Improvement Among Inpatients With Depressive Disorders: Retrospective Nonrandomized Comparative Study

JMIR Form Res 2026;10:e75251

DOI: 10.2196/75251

PMID: 42398063

Adjunctive Virtual Reality-Based Relaxation Training and Symptom Improvement in Inpatients With Depression: A Retrospective Study With Exploratory Session-Frequency Analyses

  • Linhui Liu; 
  • Wenqian Zhao; 
  • mengqing he; 
  • Xue Yang; 
  • Kunqiang Yu; 
  • Ningning Ding; 
  • Wenwen Tian; 
  • Gaoyang Liu; 
  • Guohua Zhang; 
  • Yan Zhang

ABSTRACT

Background:

Background:

Virtual Reality (VR) technology is widely used in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders and in the combination with relaxation training.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of VR-based relaxation training on anxiety and depressive symptoms in in-patients with depression and the dosage effect.

Methods:

Method: Participants were divided into assigned into either the VR group (n=63) or the control group (n=70) based on hospitalization experience. The VR group received VR-based relaxation training plus usual care during hospitalization, while the control group only received usual care. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were used for evaluations at baseline and at discharge.

Results:

Results:

VR-based relaxation training was effective in treating both depressive (χ2 = 4.532, P = .033) and anxiety symptoms (χ2 = 9.315, P = .002) in depressed patients compared to control group; it was more effective to reduce anxiety symptoms compared to depressive symptoms (χ2 = 4.042, P =.044). The number of treatment sessions did not significantly affect depressive symptoms, while seven sessions or above showed significantly larger effects on anxiety reduction.

Conclusions:

Conclusions:

VR-based relaxation training is beneficial to relieve depressive and anxiety symptoms in in-patients with depression. There was a dosage effect on anxiety but not depression.


 Citation

Please cite as:

Liu L, Zhao W, he m, Yang X, Yu K, Ding N, Tian W, Liu G, Zhang G, Zhang Y

Virtual Reality–Based Relaxation Training and Symptom Improvement Among Inpatients With Depressive Disorders: Retrospective Nonrandomized Comparative Study

JMIR Form Res 2026;10:e75251

DOI: 10.2196/75251

PMID: 42398063

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