Wearable AR for Restorative Breaks: How Interactive Narrative Experiences Support Relaxation for Young Adults

TL;DR

This work tackles how wearable AR can transform breaks for young knowledge workers by embedding lightweight restorative activities into engaging media. It introduces InteractiveBreak, a design framework based on seamless guidance, audio-centric media, and rise–peak–closure pacing, validated through a four-condition within-subject study with $N=16$. Results show smoother media-to-activity transitions, higher rest quality, and stronger post-break readiness for InteractiveBreak compared with passive video, reminders, or non-narrative guidance, supporting long-term adoption. The study contributes a reusable Seamless Guidance Unit pattern, a practical design framework for media-embedded AR breaks, and empirical evidence for AR-assisted restorative breaks with potential applicability across contexts and devices.

Abstract

Young adults often take breaks from screen-intensive work by consuming digital content on mobile phones, which undermines rest through visual fatigue and inactivity. We introduce a design framework that embeds light break activities into media content on AR smart glasses, balancing engagement and recovery. The framework employs three strategies: (1) seamlessly guiding users by embedding activity cues aligned with media elements; (2) transitioning to audio-centric formats to reduce visual load while sustaining immersion; and (3) structuring sessions with "rise-peak-closure" pacing for smooth transitions. In a within-subjects study (N = 16) comparing passive viewing, reminder-based breaks, and non-narrative activities, InteractiveBreak instantiated from our framework seamlessly guided activities, sustained engagement, and enhanced break quality. These findings demonstrate wearable AR's potential to support restorative relaxation by transforming breaks into engaging and meaningful experiences.

Figures (9)

• Figure 1: Instantiated as InteractiveBreak, the framework enables a restorative journey where users engage with everyday audio-centric media, leveraging its intrinsic appeal to perform restorative activities seamlessly guided by cues embedded in narrative moments, orchestrated within a rise–peak–closure arc that balances immersion and recovery. Such interactive AR break experiences sustain engagement while reducing visual load to prevent over-immersion.
• Figure 2: Overview of the study design. The project used a four-part process: (A) interviews to identify expectations for interactive AR breaks, (B) a video-based AR design probe to derive fine-grained requirements, (C) iterative workshops and prototypes to develop the framework, and (D) a final comparative evaluation of the InteractiveBreak system.
• Figure 3: Overview of the design probe, which is a video-based interactive AR break experience set in a real workspace. It consists of five segments, each guiding users to shift their attention from a narrative moment to a physical activity, using integrated guidance drawn from media elements.
• Figure 4: Design process of Seamless Guidance Unit: Seven components: Digital Media, Break Activities, Media Elements, Activity Cues, Alignment Dimensions, Motivational Mechanisms, and Contextual Constraints, informing the Seamless Guidance Unit (SGU) and its design procedure.
• Figure 5: Iteration process for balancing engagement and recovery: (1) add seamless activity guidance into video media (design probe); (2) remove video visuals to reduce visual load; (3) shift to native audio media as the format for seamless guidance; (4) structure the break as an arc—light start, engaging middle, calming closure; (5) pilot study confirms all activities should remain seamlessly media-embedded; (6) add a dedicated close ending to reinforce completion.