Virtual forests lift mood: VR nature boosts depression treatment

This study tested whether adding virtual reality (VR) nature experiences to standard treatment helps adults with mild to moderate depression feel better. 45 participants were split into three groups: one used a high-end VR lab setup, another used a simple self-managed VR, and a control group received only usual care. The goal was to see if virtual nature could improve mood, reduce symptoms, and increase motivation to be active outdoors.