Volume 2 · Issue 5 (2025)
Design Strategies of Immersive Audio-Visual Experience in Digital Therapeutics for Anxiety Intervention
Lusha Zhu1,2, Younghwan Pan1
1 Department of Smart Experience Design, Kookmin University, Seoul 01706, Republic of Korea
2 College of Art, Xiangtan University, Yuhu District, Xiangtan City, 411105, Hunan, China
Abstract: Anxiety is one of the most common psychological disorders, and traditional interventions often face challenges in accessibility and adherence. With the rise of Digital Therapeutics (DTx), immersive audio-visual experience has shown unique potential in anxiety alleviation. This study proposes design strategies grounded in Self-Determination Theory and the Entrainment Principle, including task-state feedback, customized avatars, and EEG-based adaptive music. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with college students, combining questionnaires (GAD-7, STAI, PANAS), physiological measures (EEG, HRV, EDA), and subjective scales (IEQ) to evaluate intervention effects. Results demonstrate that immersive audio-visual interventions significantly reduced anxiety, enhanced positive emotions, and improved physiological indicators compared to controls, with immersion partially mediating the therapeutic pathway. These findings highlight the effectiveness of immersive audio-visual design strategies in digital therapeutics and provide interdisciplinary insights for advancing mental health interventions.
Keywords: Anxiety Intervention; Digital Therapeutics; Immersive Audio-Visual Experience; Design Strategies; Mediating Mechanism
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