Virtual reality and music's impact on psychological well-being.

There was no usual care or untreated control group, so the study cannot say whether any group would have improved simply by taking part. Participants were not fully randomly assigned to virtual reality or 2D because VR device owners were placed into VR groups, which can introduce bias. The study was unblinded, and outcomes were self-reported after a single short online session. The sample was recruited online from adults who were not screened or diagnosed for mental or physical health conditions, and the sample was not above the clinical cutoff for depression. The study was statistically underpowered, so some effects may have been missed and small effects should be read cautiously. Participants had to own their own VR headset and follow setup instructions without researcher help, and the researchers could not control headset condition, internet, or environment. Five of fifteen participants in the VR visual only group reported that some visuals seemed 'strobing'.

No funding or conflict-of-interest statement is provided in the supplied text. Participants received $2.50 for completing the study.

Do not conclude that VR is better because it feels more present. The VR groups did not significantly reduce total mood disturbance, and the VR visual-only group showed increased tension with a very small effect size.