Articles
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): From synpatic pruning to educational neuroscience
Méditation guidée en réalité virtuelle immersive : une étude pilote comparative auprès d’une population adulte saine
Abstract
La méditation de pleine conscience (MPC) et ses programmes thérapeutiques dérivés sont reconnus pour leurs effets positifs sur la santé mentale, notamment dans le traitement de l’anxiété, de la dépression et du stress. Des études antérieures ont montré que grâce au développement des technologies immersives, la réalité virtuelle (RV) pourrait être un outil prometteur permettant de renforcer l’engagement et l’accessibilité de la pratique méditative, tant pour les populations cliniques que non cliniques. Ce projet vise à comprendre l’effet de cette association au moyen d’indicateurs comportementaux et physiologiques sur le bien-être d’adultes en bonne santé et d’analyser l’expérience utilisateur·trice. Pour ce faire, la recherche a été menée selon une méthodologie expérimentale où 48 participant·e·s ont été réparti·e·s aléatoirement dans deux conditions : l’une étant une séance unique de MPC guidée réalisée en RV et l’autre une séance unique de MPC audiovisuelle équivalente présentée via un écran d’ordinateur. Des données subjectives (questionnaires d’anxiété, d’affect et de pleine conscience) et physiologiques ont été recueillies avant et après la séance. Globalement, les résultats révèlent un effet de la méditation, indépendamment du type de support, suggérant que la pratique en elle-même engendre des effets positifs immédiats. Toutefois aucun effet significatif entre les conditions n’a été observé, ce qui sous-entend que le type de dispositif n’influence par l’efficacité de la séance. Les participant·e·s ont perçu la RV comme satisfaisante, permettant ainsi de soutenir son intérêt potentiel en contexte thérapeutique. Ces résultats encouragent l’exploration de la RV comme modalité alternative de diffusion de la méditation, tout en soulignant la nécessité d’investigations supplémentaires pour approfondir la compréhension des mécanismes de cette association et évaluer ses effets à long terme.
References
- 1. Baer, R. A. (2003). Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 125‑143. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg015
- 2. Benedek, M., & Kaernbach, C. (2010). A continuous measure of phasic electrodermal activity. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 190(1), 80‑91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2010.04.028
- 3. Blase, K. L., & van Waning, A. (2019). Heart Rate Variability, Cortisol and Attention Focus During Shamatha Quiescence Meditation. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 44(4), 331‑342. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-019-09448-w
- 4. Cawley, A., & Tejeiro, R. (2024). Brief virtual reality mindfulness is more effective than audio mindfulness and colouring in reducing stress in university students. Mindfulness, 15(2), 272‑281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02306-9
- 5. Ch, N. A. N., Ansah, A. A., Katrahmani, A., Burmeister, J., Kun, A. L., Mills, C., Shaer, O., & Lee, J. D. (2023). Virtual nature experiences and mindfulness practices while working from home during COVID-19 : Effects on stress, focus, and creativity. International Journal of Human- Computer Studies, 171, 1‑13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2022.102982
- 6. Chiesa, A., & Serretti, A. (2010). A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations. Psychological Medicine, 40(8), 1239‑1252. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291709991747
- 7. Critchley, H. D. (2002). Electrodermal responses: What happens in the brain. The Neuroscientist: A Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry, 8(2), 132‑142. https://doi.org/10.1177/107385840200800209
- 8. Crosswell, L., & Yun, G. W. (2022). Examining virtual meditation as a stress management strategy on college campuses through longitudinal, quasi-experimental research. Behaviour & Information Technology, 41(4), 864‑878. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2020.1838609
- 9. Dascal, J., Reid, M., IsHak, W. W., Spiegel, B., Recacho, J., Rosen, B., & Danovitch, I. (2017). Virtual Reality and Medical Inpatients: A Systematic Review of Randomized, Controlled Trials. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 14(1‑2), 14‑21.
- 10. Datta, P., Kaur, A., Sassi, N., Gulzar, Y., & Jaziri, W. (2024). An evaluation of intelligent and immersive digital applications in eliciting cognitive states in humans through the utilization of Emotiv Insight. Methods X, 12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.102748
- 11. De Paula, D. M. B., & Moretti, L. (2021). Virtual reality in the practice of mindfulness in psychotherapy: A narrative review. Psicologia em Estudo, 26.
- 12. Failla, C., Marino, F., Bernardelli, L., Gaggioli, A., Doria, G., Chilà, P., Minutoli, R., Mangano, R., Torrisi, R., Tartarisco, G., Bruschetta, R., Arcuri, F., Cerasa, A., & Pioggia, G. (2022). Mediating Mindfulness-Based Interventions with Virtual Reality in Non-Clinical Populations: The State-of-the-Art. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 10(7), 1220.
- 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071220
- 14. Fairburn, C. G., & Patel, V. (2017). The impact of digital technology on psychological treatments and their dissemination. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 88, 19‑25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2016.08.012
- 15. Freeman, D., Reeve, S., Robinson, A., Ehlers, A., Clark, D., Spanlang, B., & Slater, M. (2017). Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychological Medicine, 47(14), 2393‑2400. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003329171700040X
- 16. Gao, D., Su, Y., Zhang, X., Li, H., & Luo, H. (2024). The application of virtual reality meditation and mind-body exercises among older adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1303880. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1303880
- 17. Gibbons, C. H. (2019). Basics of autonomic nervous system function. Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 160, 407‑418. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64032-1.00027-8
- 18. Gil-Gómez, J.-A., Manzano-Hernández, P., Albiol-Pérez, S., Aula-Valero, C., Gil-Gómez, H., & Lozano-Quilis, J.-A. (2017). USEQ: A Short Questionnaire for Satisfaction Evaluation of Virtual Rehabilitation Systems. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 17(7), 1589. https://doi.org/10.3390/s17071589
- 19. Goldberg, S. B., Tucker, R. P., Greene, P. A., Davidson, R. J., Wampold, B. E., Kearney, D. J., & Simpson, T. L. (2018). Mindfulness-based interventions for psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 59, 52‑60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.10.011
- 20. González-Valero, G., Zurita-Ortega, F., Ubago-Jiménez, J. L., & Puertas-Molero, P. (2019). Use of Meditation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies for the Treatment of Stress, Depression and Anxiety in Students. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(22), 4394. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224394
- 21. Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E. M. S., Gould, N. F., Rowland-Seymour, A., Sharma, R., Berger, Z., Sleicher, D., Maron, D. D., Shihab, H. M., Ranasinghe, P. D., Linn, S., Saha, S., Bass, E. B., & Haythornthwaite, J. A. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(3), 357‑368. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018
- 22. Hoge, E. A., Bui, E., Mete, M., Dutton, M. A., Baker, A. W., & Simon, N. M. (2023). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction vs Escitalopram for the Treatment of Adults with Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 80(1), 13‑21. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.3679
- 23. Jo, M., Kim, E., & Lee, J. (2024). Virtual reality vs. imagery: Comparing approaches in guided meditation. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1472780
- 24. Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future.
- 25. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144‑156. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg016
- 26. Keng, S.-L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041‑1056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006
- 27. Khoury, B., Lecomte, T., Fortin, G., Masse, M., Therien, P., Bouchard, V., Chapleau, M.-A., Paquin, K., & Hofmann, S. G. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapy: A comprehensive meta-analysis.
- 28. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(6), 763‑771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.05.005
- 29. Khoury, B., Sharma, M., Rush, S. E., & Fournier, C. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for healthy individuals: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 78(6), 519‑528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.03.009
- 30. Kuyken, W., Warren, F. C., Taylor, R. S., Whalley, B., Crane, C., Bondolfi, G., Hayes, R., Huijbers, M., Ma, H., Schweizer, S., Segal, Z., Speckens, A., Teasdale, J. D., Van Heeringen, K., Williams, M., Byford, S., Byng, R., & Dalgleish, T. (2016). Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis from Randomized Trials. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(6), 565‑574. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0076
- 31. Laborde, S., Mosley, E., & Thayer, J. F. (2017). Heart Rate Variability and Cardiac Vagal Tone in Psychophysiological Research – Recommendations for Experiment Planning, Data Analysis, and Data Reporting. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 213. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00213
- 32. Landmann, S., Cludius, B., Tuschen-Caffier, B., Moritz, S., & Külz, A. K. (2020). Changes in the daily life experience of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder following mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: Looking beyond symptom reduction using ecological momentary assessment. Psychiatry Research, 286, 112842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112842
- 33. Lutz, A., Jha, A. P., Dunne, J. D., & Saron, C. D. (2015). Investigating the Phenomenological Matrix of Mindfulness-related Practices from a Neurocognitive Perspective. The American psychologist, 70(7), 632‑658. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039585
- 34. Lutz, A., Slagter, H. A., Dunne, J. D., & Davidson, R. J. (2008). Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 12(4), 163‑169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2008.01.005
- 35. Ma, J., Zhao, D., Xu, N., & Yang, J. (2023). The effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) based mindfulness training on improvement mental health in adults: A narrative systematic review. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 19(3), 310‑318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2022.08.001
- 36. Malińska, M., Zużewicz, K., Bugajska, J., & Grabowski, A. (2015). Heart rate variability (HRV) during virtual reality immersion. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics: JOSE, 21(1), 47‑54. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2015.1017964
- 37. Maples-Keller, J. L., Bunnell, B. E., Kim, S.-J., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2017). The Use of Virtual Reality Technology in the Treatment of Anxiety and Other Psychiatric Disorders. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 25(3), 103‑113. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000138
- 38. Marteau, T. M., & Bekker, H. (1992). The development of a six-item short-form of the state scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 31(3), 301‑306. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8260.1992.tb00997.x
- 39. McCorry, L. K. (2007). Physiology of the autonomic nervous system. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 71(4), 78. https://doi.org/10.5688/aj710478
- 40. Mistry, D., Zhu, J., Tremblay, P., Wekerle, C., Lanius, R., Jetly, R., & Frewen, P. (2020). Meditating in virtual reality: Proof-of-concept intervention for posttraumatic stress. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy, 12(8), 847‑858. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000959
- 41. Modrego-Alarcón, M., López-del-Hoyo, Y., García-Campayo, J., Pérez-Aranda, A., Navarro- Gil, M., Beltrán-Ruiz, M., Morillo, H., Delgado-Suarez, I., Oliván-Arévalo, R., & Montero-Marin, J. (2021). Efficacy of a mindfulness-based programme with and without virtual reality support to reduce stress in university students: A randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2021.103866
- 42. Morais, P., Quaresma, C., Vigário, R., & Quintão, C. (2021). Electrophysiological effects of mindfulness meditation in a concentration test. Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 59(4), 759‑773. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-021-02332-y
- 43. Navarro-Haro, M. V., López-del-Hoyo, Y., Campos, D., Linehan, M. M., Hoffman, H. G., García-Palacios, A., Modrego-Alarcon, M., Borao, L., & García-Campayo, J. (2017). Meditation experts try Virtual Reality mindfulness: A pilot study evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of Virtual Reality to facilitate mindfulness practice in people attending a mindfulness conference. PLoS ONE, 12(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187777
- 44. Navarro-Haro, M. V., Modrego-Alarcón, M., Hoffman, H. G., López-Montoyo, A., Navarro- Gil, M., Montero-Marin, J., García-Palacios, A., Borao, L., & García-Campayo, J. (2019). Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention With and Without Virtual Reality Dialectical Behavior Therapy® Mindfulness Skills Training for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Primary Care: A Pilot Study. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 55. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00055
- 45. Nyklíček, I., van Son, J., Pop, V. J., Denollet, J., & Pouwer, F. (2016). Does Mindfulness- Based Cognitive Therapy benefit all people with diabetes and comorbid emotional complaints equally? Moderators in the DiaMind trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 91, 40‑47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.10.009
- 46. Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS). (2025, September). Santé psychique. https://www.bfs.admin.ch/content/bfs/fr/home/statistiques/sante/etat-sante/psychique.html
- 47. Park, C., Youn, I., & Han, S. (2022). Single-lead ECG based autonomic nervous system assessment for meditation monitoring. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 22513. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-27121-x
- 48. Park, M. J., Kim, D. J., Lee, U., Na, E. J., & Jeon, H. J. (2019). A Literature Overview of Virtual Reality (VR) in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: Recent Advances and Limitations. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00505
- 49. Pascoe, M. C., Thompson, D. R., Jenkins, Z. M., & Ski, C. F. (2017). Mindfulness mediates the physiological markers of stress: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 95, 156‑178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.08.004
- 50. Poetar, C.-R., Bradley, N., & Voinescu, A. (2023). Immersive virtual reality or computerised mindfulness meditation for improving mood? Preliminary efficacy from a pilot randomised trial. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1157469. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1157469
- 51. Pumprla, J., Howorka, K., Groves, D., Chester, M., & Nolan, J. (2002). Functional assessment of heart rate variability: Physiological basis and practical applications. International Journal of Cardiology, 84(1), 1‑14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-5273(02)00057-8
- 52. Riches, S., Azevedo, L., Bird, L., Pisani, S., & Valmaggia, L. (2021). Virtual reality relaxation for the general population: A systematic review. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 56(10), 1707‑1727. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02110-z
- 53. Riches, S., Jeyarajaguru, P., Taylor, L., Fialho, C., Little, J., Ahmed, L., O’Brien, A., van Driel, C., Veling, W., & Valmaggia, L. (2023). Virtual reality relaxation for people with mental health conditions: A systematic review. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 58(7), 989‑1007. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02417-5
- 54. Riches, S., Taylor, L., Jeyarajaguru, P., Veling, W., & Valmaggia, L. (2024). Virtual reality and immersive technologies to promote workplace wellbeing: A systematic review. Journal of Mental Health (Abingdon, England), 33(2), 253‑273. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2023.2182428
- 55. Riegner, G., Dean, J., Wager, T. D., & Zeidan, F. (2025). Mindfulness Meditation and Placebo Modulate Distinct Multivariate Neural Signatures to Reduce Pain. Biological Psychiatry, 97(1), 81‑88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.08.023
- 56. S, S., & Ce, C. (2021). Future of Neurology & Technology: Virtual and Augmented Reality in Neurology and Neuroscience Education: Applications and Curricular Strategies. Neurology,
- 57. 97(15). https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000012413
- 58. Schultheis, M., & Rizzo, A. (2001). The application of virtual reality technology in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation Psychology, 46, 296‑311. https://doi.org/10.1037/0090-5550.46.3.296
- 59. Seabrook, E., Kelly, R., Foley, F., Theiler, S., Thomas, N., Wadley, G., & Nedeljkovic, M. (2020). Understanding How Virtual Reality Can Support Mindfulness Practice: Mixed Methods Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(3), e16106. https://doi.org/10.2196/16106
- 60. Shaffer, F., & Ginsberg, J. P. (2017). An Overview of Heart Rate Variability Metrics and Norms. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 258. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00258
- 61. Sipe, W. E. B., & Eisendrath, S. J. (2012). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: Theory and practice. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie, 57(2), 63‑69. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371205700202
- 62. Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R. E., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983).
- 63. Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form Y). Consulting Psychologists Press.
- 64. Spielberger, C. D. (2015). State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults Manual (pp. 1–83). Menlo Park, CA: Mind Garden, Inc.
- 65. Srivastava, K., Chaudhury, S., Dhamija, S., Prakash, J., & Chatterjee, K. (2020). Digital technological interventions in mental health care. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 29(2), 181‑184. https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_32_21
- 66. Tanay, G., & Bernstein, A. (2013). State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) : Development and initial validation. Psychological Assessment, 25(4), 1286‑1299. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034044
- 67. Tandon, T., Piccolo, M., Ledermann, K., Gupta, R., Morina, N., & Martin-Soelch, C. (2022). Relationship between behavioral and mood responses to monetary rewards in a sample of Indian students with and without reported pain. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 20242. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24821-2
- 68. Thomas, C. L., & Cassady, J. C. (2021). Validation of the State Version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in a University Sample. SAGE Open, 11(3), 21582440211031900. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211031900
- 69. Van Dam, N. T., van Vugt, M. K., Vago, D. R., Schmalzl, L., Saron, C. D., Olendzki, A., Meissner, T., Lazar, S. W., Kerr, C. E., Gorchov, J., Fox, K. C. R., Field, B. A., Britton, W. B., Brefczynski-Lewis, J. A., & Meyer, D. E. (2018). Mind The Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation. Perspectives on psychological science: a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 13(1), 36‑61. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691617709589
- 70. Ventura, S., Brivio, E., Riva, G., & Baños, R. M. (2019). Immersive Versus Non-Immersive Experience: Exploring the Feasibility of Memory Assessment Through 360° Technology. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2509. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02509
- 71. Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063‑1070. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063
- 72. Wielgosz, J., Goldberg, S. B., Kral, T. R. A., Dunne, J. D., & Davidson, R. J. (2019). Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15, 285‑316. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-093423
- 73. Williams, J. M. G., & and Kabat-Zinn, J. (2011). Mindfulness: Diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma. Contemporary Buddhism, 12(1), 1‑18. https://doi.org/10.1080/14639947.2011.564811
- 74. Zhang, J., Díaz-Román, A., & Cortese, S. (2018). Meditation-based therapies for attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents and adults: A systematic review and meta- analysis. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 21(3), 87‑94. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2018- 300015