Guided Relaxation Program in Virtual Reality: PMR Virtual Training

This technology has been developed by professionals from the University Health Service (SUAS) and the Computer Engineering Department at the University of Burgos (UBU), combining expertise in mental health and technological innovation.

SUAS is a specialized unit in psychological well-being, with experience in clinical practice, education, and applied research. Its collaboration with the engineering team has enabled the creation of a scientifically grounded, innovative tool.

The technology addresses limitations of the traditional Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) method, which often leads to distraction and relies heavily on professional guidance. This immersive virtual reality solution enhances user focus, allows environment customization, and reduces therapist workload — offering a clear improvement over the current state of the art.

Applications

Application Fields

• Clinical psychology: support in therapies for anxiety, stress, phobias, and psychosomatic disorders.
• Educational settings: improves students' emotional well-being and helps prepare for high-stress situations (e.g., exams, presentations).
• Workplace health and stress prevention: applicable in corporate wellness programs.
• Psychology and neuroscience research: enables study of VR-guided relaxation effects on cognitive and physiological variables.
• Professional training: helps train mental health professionals in evidence-based relaxation techniques.

Quantitative Data

• Muscle tension after relaxation training measured through the Inventory of Tension and Anxiety Indicators shows an average decrease of 64%.
• Perceived relaxation level after training reaches an average of 72.5 out of 100.
• User satisfaction level (average satisfaction of 4.55 out of 5).

• Number of sessions required to achieve technique automation: 6 sessions.

New and innovative aspects

• Integration of the classical Progressive Muscle Relaxation technique with immersive Virtual Reality, enabling a deeper and more focused user experience.
• Structured progressive phases enabling gradual and flexible skill acquisition, adaptable to user’s level and progress.
• Inclusion of synchronized visual and textual aids, enhancing accessibility and program effectiveness.
• Scientifically validated method, providing a reliable evidence-based tool (https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/11034975).

Main advantages of its use

• Full immersion that enhances focus and effectiveness of relaxation training compared to traditional audio- or video-based methods.
• User autonomy, allowing sessions without constant supervision, reducing costs and enabling use in diverse settings.
• Advanced personalization: selection of phases and virtual environments tailored to individual needs and preferences, improving adherence and satisfaction.
• Reduced workload for professionals by eliminating the need to manually guide every session, increasing clinical efficiency.
• Competitive advantage over simpler digital solutions by combining immersive virtual reality with a structured, flexible therapeutic protocol.
• Personalization of environment and guidance (visual and textual), allowing training to be tailored to individual user preferences and needs.
• Significant reduction of the mental load on health professionals, thanks to the autonomy provided by the application while maintaining supervision options.

Specifications

• Compatibility: it works with immersive Virtual Reality devices (e.g., Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3 o Meta Quest Pro).
• Session duration: Between 12 and 20 minutes, depending on the selected phase.
• User-friendly interface: Easy to operate with clear customization options, requiring no advanced technical knowledge.
• Minimum technical requirements: Standard VR-capable PC with wired headset connection.
• 3D environments: Three immersive settings with spatial audio to maximize the experience.
• Development stage: Advanced prototype, validated in pilot studies and ready for clinical and educational deployment.
• Intellectual property: Registration process underway for adapted relaxation technique and software copyrights.

Desired business relationship

Commercial Agreement, License Agreement, Technical Cooperation: further development; Technical Cooperation: testing new applications; Technical Cooperation: adaptation to specific needs.

IPR status

Protected by intellectual property application