A Controlled Trial of a Virtual Reality Experience to support wellbeing in Healthcare Students

University students' mental health is a growing concern, with increasing rates of distress, particularly among healthcare students. Virtual Reality (VR) shows promise in promoting relaxation and reducing stress in young people. This randomised controlled trial evaluated a novel VR intervention for healthcare students' wellbeing.131 healthcare students at St George's, University of London were randomised to either VR (n=67) or video control (n=64) groups. The intervention consisted of five daily sessions of clinically-informed hypnotherapy-based experiences. Outcomes included perceived stress (PSS), wellbeing (WEMWBS), depression (PHQ-2), and momentary affective states. Assessments occurred at baseline, post-session, and at two-week follow-up.VR participants showed significantly greater improvements in post-session mood states compared to the video group. At two-week follow-up, the VR group demonstrated significant reductions in perceived stress (within-group effect size g=0.57) compared to video controls (g=0.21). VR participants reported significantly higher immersion levels and intervention satisfaction. No significant between-group differences were found for wellbeing or depression measures. Qualitative data indicated stronger therapeutic benefits in the VR group, with 42/47 VR participants reporting positive effects compared to 17/50 in the video group.The VR intervention effectively reduced stress levels in healthcare students, with effects sustained at two-week follow-up. The immersive nature of VR appeared to enhance therapeutic benefits compared to non-immersive delivery. This suggests VR could be a valuable tool for supporting student wellbeing in higher education settings.