The Feasibility and Impact of Delivering a Mind-Body Intervention in a Virtual World

Daniel B Hoch, Alice J Watson, Deborah A Linton, Heather E Bello, Marco Senelly, Mariola T Milik, Margaret A Baim, Kamal Jethwani, Gregory L Fricchione, Herbert Benson and Joseph C Kvedar

PLOS ONE, 2012, vol. 7, issue 3, 1-6

Abstract: Introduction: Mind-body medical approaches may ameliorate chronic disease. Stress reduction is particularly helpful, but face-to-face delivery systems cannot reach all those who might benefit. An online, 3-dimensional virtual world may be able to support the rich interpersonal interactions required of this approach. In this pilot study, we explore the feasibility of translating a face-to-face stress reduction program into an online virtual setting and estimate the effect size of the intervention. Methods and Findings: Domain experts in virtual world technology joined with mind body practitioners to translate an existing 8 week relaxation response-based resiliency program into an 8-week virtual world-based program in Second Life™ (SL). Twenty-four healthy volunteers with at least one month's experience in SL completed the program. Each subject filled out the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Symptom Checklist 90- Revised (SCL-90-R) before and after taking part. Participants took part in one of 3 groups of about 10 subjects. The participants found the program to be helpful and enjoyable. Many reported that the virtual environment was an excellent substitute for the preferred face-to-face approach. On quantitative measures, there was a general trend toward decreased perceived stress, (15.7 to 15.0), symptoms of depression, (57.6 to 57.0) and anxiety (56.8 to 54.8). There was a significant decrease of 2.8 points on the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (p

Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0033843

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033843

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