{"ID":2860867,"CreatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.02836","arxiv_id":"2510.02836","title":"VR as a \"Drop-In\" Well-being Tool for Knowledge Workers","abstract":"Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly being used to support workplace well-being, but many interventions focus narrowly on a single activity or goal. Our work explores how VR can meet the diverse physical and mental needs of knowledge workers. We developed Tranquil Loom, a VR app offering stretching, guided meditation, and open exploration across four environments. The app includes an AI assistant that suggests activities based on users' emotional states. We conducted a two-phase mixed-methods study: (1) interviews with 10 knowledge workers to guide the app's design, and (2) deployment with 35 participants gathering usage data, well-being measures, and interviews. Results showed increases in mindfulness and reductions in anxiety. Participants enjoyed both structured and open-ended activities, often using the app playfully. While AI suggestions were used infrequently, they prompted ideas for future personalization. Overall, participants viewed VR as a flexible, ``drop-in'' tool, highlighting its value for situational rather than prescriptive well-being support.","short_abstract":"Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly being used to support workplace well-being, but many interventions focus narrowly on a single activity or goal. Our work explores how VR can meet the diverse physical and mental needs of knowledge workers. We developed Tranquil Loom, a VR app offering stretching, guided meditation,...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.02836","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2510.02836v1","authors":"[\"Sophia Ppali\",\"Haris Psallidopoulos\",\"Marios Constantinides\",\"Fotis Liarokapis\"]","published":"2025-10-03T09:18:36Z","proceeding":"cs.HC","tasks":"[\"cs.HC\"]","methods":"[\"LoRA\"]","has_code":false}