Restorative natural experiences in immersive landscapes and waterscapes during virtual reality exercise for mental health promotion
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Published on: November 12, 2009
Wen-Hsuan Hou1, Hsiu-Nien Shen2, Hao-Yun Huang3
1School of Gerontology and Long-term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & Geriatric Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background:
Immersive natural environments in virtual reality can capture involuntary attention, thereby contributing to improved health-promoting practices according to the Attention Restoration Theory. Landscapes and waterscapes provide restorative environments that foster a sense of connection with nature and create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. This study investigated the health effects of VR exercise in two specific implementations: professionally produced waterscapes and self-recorded landscapes.
Methods:
The study design was a randomized controlled trial conducted between September 2022 and June 2023. Forty eligible participants were randomly assigned to a waterscape group, and 32 participants were allocated to a landscape group. All participants received identical exercise program sessions of 30 min each conducted weekly for 12 weeks. The virtual reality headsets displayed two different series of non-repetitive 360° videos of professionally produced waterscapes or self-recorded landscapes. Data were collected at the pre- and post-test periods through a body composition analyzer and self-administered questionnaires.
Results:
The comprehensive and mental quality of life, skeletomuscular index, and fat-free mass of participants in the waterscape group improved, while their body mass index decreased. Participants in the waterscapes group revealed a greater experience in perceived restorativeness and less virtual reality sickness than those in the landscapes group.
Conclusion:
Professionally produced VR waterscapes yielded superior mental and physical health outcomes compared to self-recorded landscapes. Virtual reality exercise in immersive natural environments is recommended as a restorative experience for health promotion.
