In a pilot study involving 20 patients from UCLA’s cardiology clinic—either living with or at risk for cardiovascular disease—participants engaged in a 30-minute VR relaxation experience featuring colorful, immersive visuals and soothing audio. These patients were considered to have above average levels of stress, with nearly half having a history of anxiety or depression, conditions commonly linked to coronary artery disease or recovery from serious cardiac events.

After a VR session, many patients experienced a significant impact to their psychological state. Many described a calming sense of “distance from stress” and indicated that they lost track of time or felt as if they were “floating.”

Physiological measurements also supported these experiences. Participants in the study, published in JMIR Cardio, showed a statistically significant drop in their STAI-S (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State) scores, a validated tool for measuring current anxiety; decreased heart rates; and signs of increased vagal tone—a marker of parasympathetic nervous system activation, which helps the body relax and recover from stress.