VRelax relaxation

VRelax is a VR relaxation app aimed at reducing stress, tension, sleeping problems and anxiety. VRelax offers the possibility to step into a different reality. VRelax contains many natural worlds, including a sunny beach or an alpine meadow. In some nature worlds there are also small “gaming” elements, such as the popping of air bubbles under water. VRelax can be used as support in the treatment of psychological problems and as a tool for prevention and self-management of stress and sleep-related complaints. We have developed VRelax together with VRelax BV and people who have experience with psychological complaints.

You can really get away from the hectic and stressful life for a while.

What I find positive about VRelax is that the scenarios really radiate peace. It’s nice to stand between a herd of horses and hear the roaring sounds, I would really enjoy that in real life.

What are we doing now?

We started the Relax XL study at the beginning of 2022. During this study we want to investigate the (cost-) effectiveness of adding VRelax to usual care compared to usual care and the addition of relaxation exercises. In total, we want to include 171 participants who are currently undergoing treatment for burnout, anxiety, bipolar, depressive and/or psychotic disorders. As outcome measures, we will look at psychological symptoms, stress, sleep, social functioning, healthcare consumption and social costs in the short and long term. The research was made possible by subsidies from ZonMw. Participating institutions are UCP, Lentis, Forte GGZ and a number of general practices.

For more information about this study, see www.relax-xl.nl

Team VRelax

Photo gallery VRelax

Source: VRelax BV

Publications about VRelax

Nijland JWHM, Veling W, Lestestuiver BP & Van Driel CMG. Virtual Reality Relaxation for Reducing Perceived Stress of Intensive Care Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology; 2021. [link]

Veling W, Lestestuiver B, Jongma M, Hoenders HJR, van Driel CJ. Virtual Reality Relaxation for Patients With a Psychiatric Disorder: Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial. Med Internet Res; 2021. [link]

Veling W, Sjollema MJ, Brada BC. Reducing the impact of stress in patients with psychiatric disorders using swimming with wild, free dolphins in virtual reality. In: Powell W, Rizzo S (Eds), Virtual Reality: Recent Advances for Health and Wellbeing. Nova Science Publishers, Hauppage, NY, 2017.

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