Authors: (including presenting author): :
Kong SF(1), Ho EFM(2), Ching WK(1)
Affiliation: :
Occupational Therapy Departments, (1) North District Hospital, (2) Tai Po Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Service Model
Keyword 2: :
Digital Therapeutics
Keyword 4: :
Occupational Therapy
Keyword 5: :
TechnologyDiffusion of Innovation
Keyword 6: :
Relaxation Relaxation
Introduction: :
Stress and anxiety disorders significantly impair daily functioning, participation in meaningful activities, and overall well-being. Digital therapeutics (DTx), particularly immersive virtual reality (VR) relaxation therapy, offer innovative solutions to enhance presence, reduce physiological arousal, and promote relaxation more effectively than non-immersive methods. By utilizing real-captured 360° natural scenes, it allows stronger perceived realism and smoother affective engagement, which can enhance the restorative benefits of nature exposure suggested by Attention Restoration Theory. However, patients often resist adopting novel DTx due to unfamiliarity and perceived complexity, compounded by cognitive and motivational constraints. The Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory by Everett Rogers provides a structured framework to facilitate adoption by addressing key attributes: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability.
Objectives: :
We aimed to integrate DOI principles with occupational therapy-led realistic VR relaxation therapy to enhance acceptance and assess its effects on physiological and perceived relaxation among patients with stress and anxiety.
Methodology: :
This single-arm pilot study recruited 21 patients diagnosed with anxiety or stress-related disorders. Participants engaged in a 10–15-minute DOI-guided VR relaxation session featuring 360° natural scenes, with integrated biofeedback and guided relaxation exercises. DOI strategies included educational demonstrations (trialability), scene personalization (compatibility), simplified user interfaces (complexity reduction), and visible progress feedback (observability). Heart rates were measured before and during the session, while physiological and psychological relaxation, as well as satisfaction (acceptance on VR), were assessed using a 5‑point Likert scale.
Result & Outcome: :
From November 2024 to January 2026, 20 of the 21 participants experienced a reduction in heart rate, averaging a 7.7% decrease following the session. All participants reported that the session promoted relaxation and calmness, and 90% noted a decreased breathing rate. Additionally, 95% expressed willingness to participate in future VR sessions, with no adverse events reported. Conclusion:
Integrating DOI theory with occupational therapy-led realistic VR relaxation interventions effectively addresses adoption barriers among patients, particularly those hesitant to embrace new technologies. This innovative enhanced model positions VR-based digital therapeutics as a scalable, accessible, and impactful technology for stress and anxiety disorders, enhancing treatment accessibility and outcomes.
