G-4386

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Virtual Reality Program Based on Mindfulness and Interactive Exercise in Improving Physical and Mental Health and Reducing Stigma among Women: quasi-experimental study

 Samaneh Fallah-Karimi ¹, Zahra Khalilzadeh-Farsangi ² ©, Fatemeh Rostai ² ℗   

 
Abstract

Introduction: Women’s physical and mental health is influenced by multiple factors, and stigma related to mental health problems is a significant barrier to accessing healthcare. Virtual reality technology, by creating interactive and engaging environments, holds great potential for innovative interventions in health. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual reality program based on mindfulness and interactive exercise in improving physical and mental health and reducing stigma among women. Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted in 2025 at the Seyed Al-Shohada Urban Health Center in Zahedan. Sixty female participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. The intervention group attended eight 45-minute sessions of virtual reality program including mindfulness exercises and interactive exercise (via VR headset), while the control group received usual care. Data collection tools included the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Patient Health Questionnaire for somatic symptoms (PHQ-15), and the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI). Post-test was conducted one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and ANCOVA with significance level less than 0.05. Results: Findings showed that compared to the control group, the intervention group had significant reductions in somatic symptoms and stigma, as well as significant improvements in mental health (p 0.05). Conclusion and discussion: Utilizing virtual reality technology through mindfulness and interactive exercise programs offers a novel and effective approach to enhance physical and mental health and reduce mental health-related stigma among women. It is recommended that these interventions be implemented as complementary programs in health centers.

Keywords: Virtual reality, Mindfulness, Mental health, Stigma, Physical health, Women