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Virtual Forest Environment Influences Inhibitory Control

Author

Listed:
  • Viola Benedetti

    (Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Gioele Gavazzi

    (Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Fiorenza Giganti

    (Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy)

  • Elio Carlo

    (Scuola di Psicoterapia Cognitiva, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Francesco Riccardo Becheri

    (Pian dei Termini Forest Therapy Station, 2311 Via Pratorsi, 51028 San Marcello Piteglio, Italy)

  • Federica Zabini

    (Institute for Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy)

  • Fabio Giovannelli

    (Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Maria Pia Viggiano

    (Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Exposure to natural green environments, whether through visual media or in person, can bring numerous benefits to physical and mental health. Given the restorative effects that natural forest environments have on the human mind, it is plausible to assume that these effects can also extend to cognitive processes, such as cognitive control, which are fundamental to higher-level cognitive function. In this study, we investigated whether viewing videos of urban or forest environments would have an impact on inhibitory control and attention in people with or without a past COVID-19 infection. To investigate the impact of virtual natural and urban videos on cognitive performance, 45 participants were recruited, and the exposure to forest vs. urban videos was assessed on a Go/No-Go task and an Attentional Network Test. The data showed that in both groups, exposure to the forest videos improved the inhibitory component. The results are discussed in the context of the well-established evidence of the beneficial effects of green environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Viola Benedetti & Gioele Gavazzi & Fiorenza Giganti & Elio Carlo & Francesco Riccardo Becheri & Federica Zabini & Fabio Giovannelli & Maria Pia Viggiano, 2023. "Virtual Forest Environment Influences Inhibitory Control," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:7:p:1390-:d:1191953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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