The use of mindfulness in the metaverse: a scoping review

Objectives: This scoping review aimed to address a significant research limitation concerning mindfulness practices within the metaverse. The primary aim was to examine whether metaverse-based mindfulness training programs incorporate fundamental elements of traditional mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and adhere to core mindfulness principles. 

Methods: The review followed the five-step framework for scoping reviews, with a comprehensive search strategy employed across six databases, covering scholarly articles published between January 2015 and August 2023. 

Results: The review identified 23 studies combining mindfulness practices with virtual reality (VR) technology. Key findings include the following: (1) research in this field is in its infancy, with a lack of consistency in defining and measuring mindfulness; (2) a wide variety of study designs and implementations were observed, presenting challenges for drawing meaningful conclusions; (3) high levels of engagement were reported, but may be influenced by the novelty effect of VR; (4) mixed results were found across studies regarding the effectiveness of VR-based mindfulness interventions; and (5) there was limited ethnic diversity in study populations. 

Conclusions: While VR-based mindfulness interventions show promise, there is a critical need for more rigorous, high-quality studies that adhere to standardized definitions of mindfulness, employ validated measurement tools, and explore long-term effects. Future research should focus on developing a core set of outcome measures, investigating the sustainability of engagement, and expanding studies to include more diverse populations.