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Cortica

Articles

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): Educationl neurosciences : Supporting young minds in the era of uncertainty

MÉDITATION DE PLEINE CONSCIENCE IMMERSIVE ET NON IMMERSIVE : Efficacité comparative d'une séance de méditation en réalité virtuelle et en format audiovisuel sur l'affect positif, la pleine conscience et l'activation sympathique chez des adultes sains

  • Karin Nicole Rauseo
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26034/cortica.2026.11661
Submitted
October 5, 2026
Published
2026-10-09

Abstract

Theoretical background: Mindfulness meditation practices have demonstrated well-established benefits for emotional well-being and physiological regulation. In this context, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative tool that may enhance these effects through its immersive properties, which promote attentional engagement and present-moment awareness. However, the superiority of VR-based mindfulness meditation over non-immersive modalities remains to be confirmed, particularly regarding the modulation of positive affect, mindfulness state, and sympathetic activation.

Methods: 94 healthy adults were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: audio-guided mindfulness meditation in VR (n = 45) or on screen (n = 49). Positive affect (PANAS), mindfulness state (SMS), and sympathetic activation (EDA) were measured before and after a ten-minute meditation session. A moderation analysis examined whether the meditation modality moderated the relationship between initial sympathetic activation and post-meditation mindfulness state. The role of VR familiarity was also explored.

Results: A single meditation session led to a significant increase in mindfulness state in both conditions, as well as a reduction in sympathetic activation. The observed decrease in overall positive affect likely reflects a measurement bias inherent to the PANAS: the selection of its items, centered on highactivation positive affect, notably states such as enthusiasm and excitement, introduces a systematic deviation in a meditative context, where precisely low-activation affective states, such as equanimity and calm, are induced. Item-level analysis indeed revealed a reduction in certain high-activation affects alongside an increase in some positive self-referential affects. No superiority of VR was observed for any of the variables. The reduction in sympathetic activation was more pronounced in the on-screen condition. Neither the meditation modality moderated the relationship between sympathetic activation and mindfulness state, nor did familiarity with VR amplify the effects of the practice.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the benefits of a mindfulness meditation session on presentmoment awareness, positive affect and physiological regulation are primarily attributable to the meditative practice itself, regardless of the technological medium. The screen-based modality proved as effective as VR, and may even be more effective in reducing sympathetic activation, representing a notable applicative advantage in terms of accessibility. Future research should clarify the conditions under which VR may offer specific benefits, taking into account individual factors, intervention duration, and the inherent limitations of immersive devices.

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