Characterizing Nature Videos for an Attention Placebo Control for MBSR: The Development of Nature-Based Stress...

Various active control interventions for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) have been developed, though many can fall short in controlling for non-specific or placebo effects. We developed a Nature-Based Stress Reduction (NBSR) program based on previously reported positive results from virtual natural environment exposure on mental health. In the present study, we validated the nature video component of NBSR as an attention-matched activity equivalent to the formal meditation practice components of MBSR.

Key components of MBSR were matched in NBSR to ensure equality in structure, duration, contacts, and intensity, but not in specific active components (i.e., mindfulness meditation). MBSR meditation during group sessions was matched in NBSR by videos consisting of scenes of nature. Each video had a ratio of pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral valence clips consistent with the documented heterogeneity of affective experiences during mindfulness meditation. Amazon Mechanical Turk Workers (n=127) rated emotional valence and self-reported arousal for each video clip.

Mean valence ratings significantly differed between the three categories of nature videos clips using an ANOVA test (p<0.001). Follow-up pairwise t-tests revealed significant differences between valence ratings for pleasant vs. unpleasant (p<0.001), neutral vs. unpleasant (p<0.001), and pleasant vs. neutral (p<0.01).

The subjective experience of NBSR nature videos was reported as pleasant, with higher variability reported for unpleasant clips. This pattern generally parallels the variability and heterogeneity of subjective experiences during mindfulness meditation. These findings demonstrate that the nature video component of NBSR provides a promising attention- and valence-matched placebo activity unrelated to mindfulness meditation.