English

VR as a "Drop-In" Well-being Tool for Knowledge Workers

Human-Computer Interaction 2025-10-06 v1

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly being used to support workplace well-being, but many interventions focus narrowly on a single activity or goal. Our work explores how VR can meet the diverse physical and mental needs of knowledge workers. We developed Tranquil Loom, a VR app offering stretching, guided meditation, and open exploration across four environments. The app includes an AI assistant that suggests activities based on users' emotional states. We conducted a two-phase mixed-methods study: (1) interviews with 10 knowledge workers to guide the app's design, and (2) deployment with 35 participants gathering usage data, well-being measures, and interviews. Results showed increases in mindfulness and reductions in anxiety. Participants enjoyed both structured and open-ended activities, often using the app playfully. While AI suggestions were used infrequently, they prompted ideas for future personalization. Overall, participants viewed VR as a flexible, ``drop-in'' tool, highlighting its value for situational rather than prescriptive well-being support.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2510.02836,
  title  = {VR as a "Drop-In" Well-being Tool for Knowledge Workers},
  author = {Sophia Ppali and Haris Psallidopoulos and Marios Constantinides and Fotis Liarokapis},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.02836},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

11 pages, 5 figures, 1 table

R2 v1 2026-07-01T06:14:57.044Z