Measuring Altered States of Consciousness in Virtual Reality: A Systematic Analysis of Assessment Methods
Maria Laura Mele, Hans Rutrecht
HCI International 2025 – Late Breaking Papers January 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-12808-9_8 via Springer Nature
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA review of literature from 2014 to 2024 examines how virtual reality can induce, modulate, and assess altered states of consciousness. Four methodological fields are analyzed: clinical and therapeutic research, cognitive science and neurophysiology, immersive technology and human-computer interaction, and psychological and phenomenological evaluation. VR-mediated altered states can be systematically evaluated through multimodal techniques, but the review reveals significant methodological inconsistencies, including a lack of standardization in experimental designs, variability in measurement tools, and limited interdisciplinary integration. The authors call for a standardized methodological framework to enable replicable assessment of VR-induced altered states.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Virtual reality vr Assessment methods |
| Key finding | VR-induced altered states of consciousness can be systematically evaluated through multimodal techniques, but methodological inconsistencies and lack of standardization across studies hinder replicable assessment. |
Abstract
The intersection of Virtual Reality (VR) and Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) represents a notable research domain in experimental and clinical contexts, highlighting the growing interest in how immersive technologies can induce, modulate, and assess non-ordinary cognitive and emotional states. This study examines literature from 2014 to 2024, providing a review of the methodological frameworks and evaluation strategies used in examining VR-induced ASCs. Four primary methodological fields have been analyzed: (1) clinical and therapeutic research, (2) cognitive science and neurophysiology, (3) immersive technology and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and (4) psychological and phenomenological evaluation. Research indicates that VR-mediated ASCs can be systematically evaluated through multimodal techniques. The review reveals significant methodological inconsistencies, highlighting the lack of standardization in experimental designs, variability in measurement tools, and limited interdisciplinary integration. The review highlights the need for a standardized methodological framework that allows for replicable assessment of VR induced ASCs.