Decreasing Stress Through a Spatial Audio and Immersive 3D Environment: A Pilot Study With Implications for Clinical and Medical Settings

Abstract

There is evidence that music-based interventions can be effective in treating clinical and non-clinical populations. With the emergence of audio-visual technologies, there are new opportunities for developing web-based applications that have therapeutic effects in mental health and medical settings. Here we conducted a pilot study (N = 100) to test if an immersive web-based spatial audio application can decrease stress and negative mood states. Results showed that the application was effective for both clinical (n = 40) and non-clinical (n = 60) groups, and that the effect was most profound for individuals diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders. Though the present study needs to be replicated with physiological methods, the findings provide initial evidence that web-based spatial audio applications can be effective for short-term stress reduction and have the potential to be a supplement to clinical music interventions, but not a replacement or substitute for such interventions.