Digital shinrin-yoku: do nature experiences in virtual reality reduce stress and increase well-being as strongly as similar experiences in a physical forest?

Abstract

Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing refers to a therapeutic, immersive nature experience that aids to improve well-being. The goal of the current research was to compare the effects of a physical urban nature versus virtual nature experience on stress, affect, vitality, and restoration. Previous research suggested that an immersive nature experience—such as shinrin-yoku—can be beneficial for health, but direct comparisons between physical and virtual reality (VR) experiences are scarce. In the current study, fifty participants navigated self-paced through a forest scene that was either an urban physical forest or an immersive VR forest with similar characteristics as the physical one. Before and after the intervention, we measured positive and negative affect, subjective vitality, and perceived daily stress. After the intervention, we measured perceived restorative outcomes. Results revealed that both VR and physical nature experience resulted in expected effects on well-being indicators: Affect was more positive and less negative, subjective vitality increased slightly, and stress decreased slightly after both interventions. There were no significant differences between the two settings on any of the variables, but slightly stronger effect sizes over time within the physical condition. Overall, these findings suggest that immersive VR nature experiences can have restoration effects similar to physical nature experiences, suggesting intervention strategies when physical nature options are scarce.

Mapping of Research in the Field of Forest Therapy-Related Issues: A Bibliometric Analysis for 2007–2021

“…Third, international cooperation can be enhanced by the use of novel methods. For example, the utilization of VR can break down the spatial and temporal barriers so as to increase statistical power and further ensure research validity ( Reese et al, 2022 ).…”

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Overall Wellbeing: Mediating Role of Virtual Reality Fitness for Physical-Psychological Health and Physical Activity

“…Diabetic, strokes, Psoriatic arthritis, spinal injury, brain injury, sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and aging have all been shown to benefit from virtual reality-based games in treating and curing physical and mental symptoms. 31–33 …”

“…Diabetic, strokes, Psoriatic arthritis, spinal injury, brain injury, sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and aging have all been shown to benefit from virtual reality-based games in treating and curing physical and mental symptoms. [31][32][33] Data Analysis SPSS-23 and Smart-PLS 3.2.9 software were used to analyze the data. 34 Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical analyses were performed.…”

Visual post-occupancy evaluation of a restorative garden using virtual reality photography: Restoration, emotions, and behavior in older and younger people

“…Another experimental study has shown that nature exposure can have restorative and positive mood effects both in outdoor environment and its 360-degree virtual reality video counterpart compared to an indoor control group, despite the increase in positive mood is observed only in the outdoor condition ( Browning et al, 2020a ). According to Reese et al (2022) the increase of positive and reduction of negative affect after forest bathing takes place both in a physical and simulated environment, despite a larger size effect in the physical environment. Consistently, Chirico and Gaggioli (2019) found similar emotional responses when exploring a natural landscape in real-life and through 360-degree videos.…”