The USD School of Health Sciences Complementary and Alternative Medicine research team, in partnership with the South Dakota Human Services Center (HSC), has introduced virtual reality (VR) as a groundbreaking tool in inpatient mental health care.
A pilot study, funded by the South Dakota Community Foundation, was implemented by the research team that reviewed the utilization of virtual reality as an additional tool for inpatient mental health care. Liminal VR software, designed to increase relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety, was selected and viewed through VR headsets for an immersive experience. The participants attended VR sessions three days per week over the course of four weeks. Baseline measurements related to stress, anxiety and mood were taken prior to starting the course and after finishing each day of VR sessions. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected at the end of the four-week course. Data was also collected from staff who were involved with the participants.
One of the most compelling aspects of the study was its impact on engagement. Individuals who had previously disengaged from programming found joy and purpose in VR sessions. Notably, a typically reserved patient experienced emotional insight through immersive therapy, highlighting VR’s ability to foster self-awareness. Offering tailored experiences such as calm, awe and relief, the technology empowered patients to select sessions best suited to their needs.
With overwhelmingly positive feedback from both patients and staff, this initiative has demonstrated VR’s potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes—leading to improved mood and relaxation, and reduction in stress and anxiety.
The success of VR within HSC has inspired life skills staff to explore additional digital interventions, including YouTube-guided visual meditation. Recognizing VR’s potential beyond inpatient care, the research team is considering student-focused mental health applications and seeking funding to expand services into health care and educational settings.
Community Impact and Future Considerations
The study bridged service gaps and sparked discussion on alternative mental health approaches. Observing patients eagerly anticipating their sessions reinforced the power of brief interventions in shaping mood. The study encouraged staff to value every patient interaction, however brief, as a meaningful step toward healing.
South Dakota’s rural landscape can limit access to traditional mental health services. VR can bridge this gap by providing accessible, personalized mental health support in various settings, reaching more South Dakota residents. Mental health challenges are a growing concern in South Dakota. According to NAMI, 112,000 adults in the state live with mental health conditions and 448,334 South Dakotans reside in communities lacking sufficient mental health professionals. With VR’s ability to deepen engagement and enhance therapy, could this technology alleviate provider workloads and shorten hospital stays? Additionally, the use of VR may prove beneficial in addressing substance use disorders, offering new insights into patient behaviors and motivations. Further research into community collaboration and stakeholder feedback could provide valuable data on treatment satisfaction, service quality and long-term patient outcomes.
As mental health care evolves, integrating VR offers a path toward innovation, healing and accessibility—helping individuals not just manage their conditions, but actively reclaim joy in their daily lives.
State MH fact sheet https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SouthDakotaStateFactSheet.pdf SD
https://dss.sd.gov/behavioralhealth/reportsanddata.aspx
Richard P. Holm, MD passed away in March 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He is founder of The Prairie Doc®. For free and easy access to the entire Prairie Doc® ® library, visit www.prairiedoc.org and follow Prairie Doc® on Facebook. Carissa Regnerus, RDH, MA, FADHA, is a faculty member at the University of South Dakota (USD) Department of Dental Hygiene, where she has been shaping future professionals since 2001. Regan Luken, RN, MSN, is a faculty member at the USD Department of Nursing and teaches in the MSN in Nursing Informatics and e-Health program. Betty Hulse, PA-C, MSPAS, associate professor in the USD Physician Assistant Studies Program, has served as clinical education coordinator since 2008.
