A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE IMPACT OF ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN USING IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY ON MENTAL WELL-BEING.

Abstract

Research question/objective and design: This is a phenomenological study. Aim of the study is to make a qualitative exploration of the impact of activities undertaken using Immersive Virtual Reality set on mental well-being. This study aimed to get three objectives: 1) Establish how people understand their mental well-being (baseline semi-structured interview) 2) Ask people about experiences, barriers and facilitators in engaging in normal physical activity routine (baseline semi-structured interview) 3) Discuss and establish what they felt about exercises undertaken using immersive VR (follow-up semi-structured interview) Population and sampling: 7students of Nazarbayev University who had access to NU athletic centre and who regularly do physical activities were recruited by utilizing purposeful method and snow balling. Methods of data collection Baseline interviews were conducted to address objective 1 and 2. Participants were asked to engage in a 5 session of physical activities. Follow up interview was conducted to address objective 3. The steps for thematic analysis were conducted: 1. Each interview was transcribed verbatim (wtw) 2. Coding was done 3. Thematic Analysis.

Conclusions: The Aim of the study was to make a qualitative exploration of participant’s experiences of physical activities using VR on general mental well-being. Objectives1,2,3 (semi -structured interview) 5 Findings suggests that VR exercises can be a good stress, anxiety and depression reducer which means to improve general mental well-being. Due to the novelty, it is not found to be comfortable; however, it is not so difficult to learn how to utilize VR. According to the findings, VR exercises tend to be more interesting way to do physical activities. The study had limitation where small scale exploratory study was conducted. However, it doesn't tend to be worthless, it is valuable. Due to the limitations, more similar studies need to be conducted