Effects of video-based natural restorative environments on mental health: a systematic review

Mental health is an essential component of public health. However, many individuals today face serious mental health challenges. Video-based Natural Restorative Environments (VNREs) have shown promising potential in the field of mental health. Despite this, systematic studies specifically addressing VNREs and their effects on mental well-being remain limited. This systematic review aims to 1) assess the current application of VNREs among the general adult population, and 2) examine the specific impact of VNREs on mental health in depth.

This systematic review strictly adhered to PRISMA guidelines and conducted a comprehensive search across six major databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Taylor & Francis Online) based on the PICOS framework, covering literature published from January 1, 2018, to January 1, 2024. The main inclusion criteria were: 1) studies exploring the relationship between VNREs and mental health; 2) participants being healthy adults; 3) interventions delivered via 2D video. The JBI checklists, along with RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools, were used to assess study quality and risk of bias. Results were analysed using a narrative synthesis approach.

A total of 26 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analysed. Current VNREs predominantly depict blue or green spaces, often accompanied by natural soundscapes. Delivered both online and offline across various devices and durations, VNREs demonstrated short-term positive effects on mental health, including improved emotion regulation, stress reduction, and enhanced restorativeness. Additionally, VNREs positively fostered constructive relationships with society and nature, increased energy, improved coping ability, encouraged pro-environmental behaviours, and reduced procrastination. Individual differences and video content are key factors influencing the effectiveness of these interventions.

This review indicates that VNREs offer a flexible and cost-effective approach to mental health intervention. While VNREs cannot fully replicate the experience of real natural environments, they hold significant value in the public health domain. Future research should further examine the effects of intervention design on user experience, with particular attention to how individual differences may moderate intervention outcomes. This review provides a new perspective for developing more effective mental health interventions and offers valuable support for public health practices.