Russian VR Headset Helps Reduce Stress in Just 17 Minutes
The Homegrown System Lowers Anxiety and Normalizes Heart Rate
A new VR headset based on a Russian stress-relief system has shown promising results in helping people working under high psychological pressure recover faster. The project was presented at the Moscow Startup Summit, an international forum on technology entrepreneurship and innovation.
In the initial trials, 33 train operators from Russian Railways (RZD) participated in the study. After their shifts, participants spent 17 minutes in a virtual relaxation environment — such as a beach or forest — where the system applied a method known as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to reduce stress levels in a single session.
“We observed a clear improvement in the emotional state of the employees,” said Natalia Kostenko, head of the medical department at RZD’s Central Directorate of Healthcare. “The system noticeably reduced anxiety and helped normalize heart rhythm.”
From Rapid Stress Relief to Clinical Therapy
The VR platform combines clinically proven techniques with biofeedback monitoring, tracking users’ pulse and adapting the experience accordingly.
The platform, called Cyberly One, could eventually be used in clinical treatment of mental health conditions. The team is now preparing for formal medical trials — the next step toward integrating VR-based behavioral therapy into mainstream healthcare in Russia.
