Virtual reality linked to lower fear of death, study finds
Researchers at Texas A&M University have reported that a short virtual reality experience designed to simulate elements commonly associated with near-death events appears to lessen anxiety about death among young adults. The work involved a small pilot group of roughly 60 participants who completed a single twelve-minute session and then provided feedback. Participants reported that their fear of death decreased by approximately 75 per cent after the simulation, along with notable reductions in stress levels. The findings contribute to ongoing research on how immersive technology can support mental well-being and psychological care delivered remotely.
Death anxiety refers to worry or fear connected to thoughts about mortality. It is often linked with depression, health-related stress, panic symptoms, illness anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobias. Previous studies have suggested that these fears tend to peak in early adulthood, decline through midlife and rise again in older age, especially among those over 65. People living with terminal conditions, including cancer, are also known to experience heightened anxiety around death, which can influence daily functioning and quality of life. Understanding ways to reduce this anxiety has therefore become an important goal across psychology and health care.
The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Virtual Reality and led by Dr Zhipeng Lu with doctoral student Parya Khadan. Dr Lu is based in the College of Architecture at Texas A&M, serves as associate director at the Centre for Health Systems and Design, and is a fellow of the Telehealth Institute. The research group has been examining how virtual environments might function as practical tools within tele-behavioural health counselling, where clinicians support patients remotely through digital platforms. According to the team, accessible interventions that can be delivered without in-person attendance may extend support to people who would otherwise face barriers to care.
Participants in the pilot study were students from the College of Architecture. They were surveyed both before and after the virtual reality session to assess levels of stress and anxiety about death. The virtual programme was built around common elements reported by people who have experienced near-death situations. Using a headset, students progressed through a sequence of three scenes intended to reproduce core sensations in a controlled and safe virtual space.
The first stage simulated an out-of-body experience after a car accident, where the user observed a representation of the self from an external vantage point while rising above the scene. In the second stage, users travelled through a tunnel or channel of light accompanied by brief memory flashbacks, echoing descriptions often found in first-hand accounts. The final stage placed participants in a calm, scenic environment that appeared peaceful but included a boundary that could not be crossed, reinforcing the idea of returning rather than passing on. The aim was not to dramatise death but to allow reflective engagement with themes of mortality in a guided context.
After completing the session, many participants reported lower stress and reduced death anxiety, and several described shifts in perspective about life priorities and relationships. Some indicated that the immersive experience felt relaxing and encouraged renewed focus on connections with loved ones or personal goals. A smaller group experienced increased anxiety or stress after the intervention, highlighting that such simulations may not affect everyone in the same way and may carry risks for certain individuals.
The researchers emphasised that while the early findings are promising, they remain preliminary due to the small sample size and limited diversity of participants. The team intends to extend the study to people facing terminal illnesses and to individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions. They also noted that careful screening, clinical oversight and ethical safeguards will be essential before using similar tools with vulnerable populations, as responses can vary widely and adverse reactions must be avoided.
The project was carried out in partnership with Olera Inc. Support was also provided by the International Association of Near-Death Experience Studies, which supplied the virtual reality video used in the simulation. Additional contributors to the publication included Benjamin Ennemoser, an assistant professor of architecture at Texas A&M, and Dr Ryan Foster, interim head of the counselling department at Tarleton State University. Their combined expertise covered virtual design, architecture, health systems, and counselling practice.
The results suggest that immersive virtual reality may have potential as a supplementary resource in psychological care aimed at managing death-related anxiety. The pilot indicates that even a brief, structured session can prompt reflection and emotional change among some users. However, the researchers underlined the importance of further trials, larger and more varied samples, and long-term follow-up to determine the durability of the effects and to better understand who benefits most and who may not respond well. The emerging evidence points to a possible future where carefully designed virtual experiences sit alongside conventional therapy, provided they are delivered responsibly and grounded in strong clinical guidance.
