Nature in virtual reality improves mood and reduces stress: evidence from young adults and senior citizens

Abstract

Large populations worldwide have been deprived from nature experiences due to mass quarantines and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, and face a looming mental health crisis. Virtual reality offers a safe and practical solution to increase nature exposure. This research examined the effects of virtual nature using a within-subject design with young adults (Study 1) and senior citizens (Study 2). Results from the young adult sample showed that walking in a virtual forest reduced negative affect due to enhanced nature connectedness, and reduced stress measured by heart rate. Consistently, the senior citizen sample reported improved positive affect due to enhanced nature connectedness after the virtual nature walk. Our findings unveil the underlying mechanism of how virtual nature may improve psychological well-being and demonstrated how virtual nature can be used as an intervention to promote mental health.

Taking real steps in virtual nature: a randomized blinded trial

“…Advances within this field allow for creation of 3D models containing representations of nature that can achieve high levels of realism. Studies using this type of VR sceneries in the context of virtual green exercise have reported positive psychophysiological responses as demonstrated by Chan et al ( 2021 ). However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, only two studies have directly compared 360° videos with matching (or similar) 3D models.…”

“…In the context of virtual green exercise, different types of technology have been used to create virtual representations of natural environments, including computer screens (see, e.g., Akers et al 2012 ; Mayer et al 2009 ; Pretty et al 2005 ; White et al 2015 ) and head-mounted displays ( HMD; see, e.g., Alkahtani et al 2019 ; Calogiuri et al 2018 ; Chan et al 2021 ). By enclosing the user within the virtual environment and replacing the sensory input from the real surroundings with sensory input from the virtual environment (Slater et al 1995 ), HMDs are believed to be a more efficient tool compared to other displays, as they can provide higher levels of immersion (Joseph et al 2020 ; Litleskare et al 2020 ).…”

“…The use of HMDs in studies of green exercise is considered a challenging endeavor, due to increased risk of inducing cybersickness in dynamic VR content, as well as the challenge of maintaining upright balance during virtual exercise (Joseph et al 2020 ; Litleskare et al 2020 ). To the best of the authors’ knowledge, only three published studies have been conducted on the effects of a dynamic virtual green exercise simulation using a HMD with a full field of view (Alkahtani et al 2019 ; Calogiuri et al 2018 ; Chan et al 2021 ). Calogiuri et al ( 2018 ) compared a real green exercise bout with a virtual homologue while simultaneously walking on a manually driven treadmill.…”

“…The study found no significant differences between the two sessions for mood, thought there was some indication of greater psychological distress in the virtual green exercise condition (Alkahtani et al 2019 ), possibly related to cybersickness. Chan et al ( 2021 ) examined changes in mood, nature connectedness, and heart-rate variability in both young adults and elderly exposed to a virtual natural environment or a virtual urban environment, which they could navigate using a “walk in place” system. In this case, this study found that, compared with the virtual urban walk, virtual green exercise provided greater psychophysiological benefits.…”

Kajian Elemen Pembentuk Dari Virtual Nature Untuk Kebutuhan Terapi Berbasis Alam

“…Gabungan dari ruang virtual berbasis alam untuk tujuan terapi dikenal dengan nama virtual nature (Chan et al, 2021) dengan pendekatan terapi berbasis alam atau biasanya disebut nature assisted therapy (Berger, 2017;Koptyin & Rugh, 2017;Kopytin, 2017). Diketahui terdapat pendekatan lain yang disebut nature assisted education, yaitu pendidikan yang berbasis kepada alam (Febrianto et al, 2021) Penelitian ini berbeda dengan penelitian sebelumnya, karena berusaha menggabungkan bidang arsitektur (unsur lanskap), bidang informatika (virtual reality) dan bidang psikologi (terapi kenyamanan visual).…”