Immersive Therapy for Improving Anxiety in Health Professionals of a Regional Hospital during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study
- Principal Investigators
Marta Linares-Chamorro, Neus Domènech-Oller, Javier Jerez-Roig, and Joel Piqué-Buisan
- Involved Institutions
Fundació Hospital d’Olot i Comarcal de la Garrotxa and Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), Spain
- Location and Date of Implementation
Olot Regional Hospital (Girona, Spain). Recruitment and intervention took place between April and July 2021.
- Publication
Published in the international scientific journal International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health on August 9, 2022.
- Technology Used
MK360 immersive projector by Broomx, used to transform a staff rest room into an interactive multisensory experience (180° horizontal × 120° vertical), controlled by the user via an app, without the need for virtual reality headsets (HMDs).
Context and intervention
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed healthcare professionals to constant and extreme stress, increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout. As a response to support the emotional well-being of its staff, Olot Hospital implemented a pioneering immersive therapy. They created a permanent “well-being space” (open 24 hours a day) equipped with a Broomx MK360 projector.
The study involved 35 female healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, administrative staff, etc.). Over 8 weeks, participants carried out autonomous audiovisual immersion sessions (with a recommendation of two 10-minute sessions per week), independently selecting and managing natural and relaxing environments projected onto the walls and ceiling. This approach avoided the use of head-mounted displays (VR headsets) to prevent any risk of cross-contamination.
Key Results
- Drastic reduction in anxiety: 85.7% of participants showed a clinically significant improvement in anxiety levels (measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale). After the intervention, 80% of staff presented no or only mild anxiety levels.
- Relief of psychological and physical symptoms: The immersive experience significantly reduced both psychological symptoms (such as recurrent thoughts and worry) and somatic symptoms of anxiety in the body.
- Increase in overall well-being: A statistically significant improvement in perceived personal well-being (measured using the Eudemon scale) was observed in approximately 83% of participants.
- Broad preventive effectiveness: The greatest effectiveness was observed among professionals without prior psychological disorders or active psychiatric medication. This suggests that immersive technology works particularly well as a preventive tool for everyday stress and undiagnosed anxiety.
Conclusions and Discussion
The use of immersive therapy through MK360 technology proved to be a highly valuable resource for reducing anxiety and improving well-being among healthcare staff.
The key element of the intervention was the use of a room-projection format, which allowed professionals to access a restorative environment (“nature baths” and relaxation scenes) autonomously and safely, without the hygiene risks associated with conventional virtual reality headsets. The authors conclude that providing such technological spaces within healthcare facilities directly encourages self-care and improves employees’ perception that the organization is actively concerned about their well-being.
Conclusions and Discussion
The use of immersive therapy through MK360 technology proved to be a highly valuable resource for reducing anxiety and improving well-being among healthcare staff.
The key element of the intervention was the use of a room-projection format, which allowed professionals to access a restorative environment (“nature baths” and relaxation scenes) autonomously and safely, without the hygiene risks associated with conventional virtual reality headsets. The authors conclude that providing such technological spaces within healthcare facilities directly encourages self-care and improves employees’ perception that the organization is actively concerned about their well-being.