Promoting Emotional and Psychological Well-being of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Feasibility Study Combining Virtual Reality and Savoring

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a globally widespread pathology that causes an irreversible obstruction of airflow and it is associated with low levels of emotional and psychological well-being. In this context, Virtual Reality (VR) enhanced with savoring, that is the ability to generate and intensify positive emotions, can be employed to promote well-being and relaxation in patients with COPD. This ongoing study aims to investigate the feasibility of a two-week VR-based relaxation intervention enhanced with savoring in COPD patients in increasing emotional and psychological well-being, positive emotions, relaxation, oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) and decreasing negative emotions. Seventeen hospitalized patients of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit of IRCCS INRCA Casatenovo have been enrolled so far in this randomized controlled trial study. Together with the traditional pulmonary rehabilitation, the experimental group took part in the four-session VR-based intervention, while the active control group listened to relaxing music. In each session, the experimental group experienced a relaxing virtual scenario, and then participants completed a savoring exercise. Both groups complete the questionnaires before and after the intervention, and before and after each session. Independent samples t-tests based on delta scores revealed significant differences between the two groups in positive emotions and psychological well-being, suggesting that VR enhanced with savoring can be a promising path for promoting well-being in COPD patients. Indeed, savoring can amplify the positive effects of VR and create a connection with the positive experiences in patients' lives. Consequently, participants can build positive resources to counteract the harmful psychological effects caused by COPD.