OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the intervention effectiveness and feasibility of the computer programs of rapid eye movement (REM) and relaxation on acute stress in adults. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in which 90 healthy adult male subjects were randomly assigned to use the control, REM or relaxation computer program after acute stress induction. The biological indicator of Salivary Cortisol, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Stress Self-Assessment Scales were collected from the subjects before and after stress elicitation and intervention to assess their stress state. RESULTS: Repeated-measures ANOVA showed that salivary cortisol [t (75) = 12.61, P < 0.001], stress self-assessment [t (86) = 4.45, P < 0.001], and negative affect [t (85) = 19.76, P < 0.001] were significantly elevated in all groups after stress induction, which was successful. Reductions in negative affect were more significant in both the REM group (P = 0.030) and relaxation group (P = 0.036) than in the control group at post-intervention, with no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that both computer programs of REM and relaxation effectively attenuated negative affect and reduced the acute stress in adults. The experiment results provide valuable insights into the construction and application of computer intervention system for acute stress management.