Virtual Reality for Anxiety Reduction Demonstrated by Quantitative EEG: A Pilot Study

Jeff Tarrant, Jeremy Viczko, Hannah Cope, Jeff Tarrant, Jeremy Viczko, Hannah Cope

Abstract

While previous research has established that virtual reality (VR) can be successfully used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including phobias and PTSD, no research has examined changes in brain patterns associated with the use of VR for generalized anxiety management. In the current study, we compared a brief nature-based mindfulness VR experience to a resting control condition on anxious participants. Self-reported anxiety symptoms and resting-state EEG were recorded across intervals containing quiet rest or the VR intervention. EEG activity was analyzed as a function of global power shifts in Alpha and Beta activity, and with sLORETA current source density estimates of cingulate cortex regions of interest. Results demonstrated that both a quiet rest control condition and the VR meditation significantly reduced subjective reports of anxiety and increased Alpha power. However, the VR intervention uniquely resulted in shifting proportional power from higher Beta frequencies into lower Beta frequencies, and significantly reduced broadband Beta activity in the anterior cingulate cortex. These effects are consistent with a physiological reduction of anxiety. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of VR for anxiety management and stress reduction programs.

Keywords: GAD; Qeeg; VR; anxiety; mindfulness; nature; sLORETA; virtual reality.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Experimental design. Participants were recruited to either the VR experience group (EX) or a control group (CN). Each group underwent three time points of measurement each consisting of 5-min eyes closed EEG recording and filling out state anxiety questionnaire. EEG recordings were interleaved by an initial 5 min period of eyes-open rest for both groups, followed by either a brief 5 min VR meditation intervention (EX) or another period of 5 min eyes-open rest (CN).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Mindfulness in nature VR environment.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Changes in sub-band power ratios across rest and virtual reality intervals. (A,B) Change in Alpha 1 and Alpha2 activity relative to total broadband power (‘Sum’) across measurement time points. (C) Relative power changes between Alpha 1 and Alpha2. (D,E) Change in Low- and High-Beta activity relative to total broadband power. (F) Relative power changes between Low-Beta and High-Beta. A significant interaction (p < 0.05) occurred for Low-Beta/High-Beta. ∗Denotes p < 0.05 for follow up within-subject repeated measure ANOVAs by group, corrected for multiple pairwise comparisons. Alpha 1 = 8–10 Hz, Alpha2 = 10–12 Hz, Low-Beta = 12–18 Hz, High-Beta = 18–30 Hz, Sum = 1–30 Hz.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Current source density changes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) across rest and virtual reality intervals. (A) Changes in Alpha across measurement time points. (B) Changes in Beta activity across measurement time points. A significant interaction (p < 0.05) occurred for ACC Beta activity. ∗Denotes p < 0.05 for follow up within-subject repeated measure ANOVAs by group, corrected for multiple pairwise comparisons. ∗Denotes p < 0.05, for within-subject repeated measure ANOVA, after correction for multiple pairwise comparisons. Current source densities were estimated with sLORETA (Pascual-Marqui, 2002).

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