**Virtual Reality in Student Mental Health: Solution or White Elephant?**

Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered social structures, leading to prolonged isolation and remote learning for students, causing significant mental health issues. This project at Opole University of Technology aims to address these challenges through a virtual reality (VR)-based therapeutic program. Objectives: The project will utilize immersive VR technology to conduct relaxation sessions, creating a dedicated relaxation room equipped with VR headsets and physiological sensors. The goal is to assess the impact of VR-based therapy on students' autonomic nervous system and psychological well-being. Key Hypotheses: VR relaxation sessions will induce physiological relaxation. A 15-minute VR session will not cause cybersickness. Weekly VR sessions will reduce stress levels among students. Methodology: Using Polar H-10 sensors, the project will measure heart rate variability (HRV) to evaluate autonomic responses. Psychological stress will be monitored using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). A sample size of 50 participants, calculated with G\*Power software, will be studied using repeated measures ANOVA.

Project Objective and Scope: The COVID-19 pandemic, declared by the World Health Organization in March 2020, significantly altered social structures globally. In Poland, the pandemic led to prolonged periods of physical isolation and remote learning for students, disrupting conventional educational routines and causing elevated levels of loneliness and mental health issues, particularly depression. Research indicates that 30% of students exhibited symptoms of depression, and 50% experienced heightened stress during the pandemic. This project aims to address these mental health challenges by implementing a virtual reality (VR)-based therapeutic program for students at Opole University of Technology. Project Description: The proposed project focuses on using immersive VR technology to conduct relaxation sessions for students. The initiative will create a relaxation room equipped with VR headsets and physiological sensors to monitor students' responses during VR sessions. The primary goal is to evaluate the impact of VR-based relaxation therapy on the autonomic nervous system and psychological well-being of students. Specific Objectives: Implementing VR in Medical Practice: VR technology has proven effective in various medical fields, including surgery, rehabilitation, and mental health. This project will leverage immersive VR to create an engaging and effective therapeutic environment. The therapy sessions will be conducted using portable VR headsets, providing students with an immersive experience that isolates them from real-world stressors. Scientific Analysis: Physiological data will be collected using Polar H-10 sensors to assess heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic nervous system activity. This data will help determine the effectiveness of different VR scenarios in inducing relaxation and improving mental well-being. The project will also monitor psychological changes using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Methodology: A sample size of 50 participants has been calculated based on previous studies using G\*Power software. The study will use repeated measures ANOVA to analyze the data, ensuring robust statistical analysis. The project also plans to promote participation through local media, aiming to include students from various higher education institutions in the Opole region.