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Exploring the Psychophysiological Effects of Viewing Urban Nature through Virtual Reality Using Electroencephalography and Perceived Restorativeness Scale Measures

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Listed:
  • Audrey Seiz

    (Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Byoung-Suk Kweon

    (Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Christopher D. Ellis

    (Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Hyuk Oh

    (Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

  • Kyle Pietro

    (Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

Abstract

Researchers have long explored how humans respond psychologically and physiologically to distinct landscapes and natural features. Walking in nature and viewing photographs of natural landscapes have been shown to reduce stress measured through the physiological responses of blood pressure, salivary cortisol concentration, and pulse rate. Exposure to natural landscapes has also been shown to improve feelings of relaxation and positive emotion. Little research, however, has focused on the potential impact of visualization through virtual reality (VR). This study explores how brain frequencies and psychological measures test the restorativeness of a virtual place. Utilizing VR, twenty-one participants observed a virtual, vegetated, vacant site as it exists currently and then again as a reimagined greenspace. The psychological responses were analyzed using the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), and the psychophysiological responses were analyzed using electroencephalography (EEG) with a specific focus on alpha and beta brain frequencies in the frontal and parietal lobes. Findings indicated that the perceived restorativeness of the designed site increased for two of the three determined factors. Alpha brain frequencies were not significantly different when viewing the vacant versus the designed site; however, beta brain frequencies demonstrated a marginally significant effect of sex with male beta power spectral density decreasing when viewing the designed site and female beta brain frequencies increasing. This research suggests that redesigning a vegetated urban vacant site can positively impact perceived restorativeness and unveils a potential gender effect present in beta brain frequencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Audrey Seiz & Byoung-Suk Kweon & Christopher D. Ellis & Hyuk Oh & Kyle Pietro, 2023. "Exploring the Psychophysiological Effects of Viewing Urban Nature through Virtual Reality Using Electroencephalography and Perceived Restorativeness Scale Measures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:13090-:d:1229362
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuqian Wang & Mingyan Jiang & Yinshu Huang & Zhiyi Sheng & Xiao Huang & Wei Lin & Qibing Chen & Xi Li & Zhenghua Luo & Bingyang Lv, 2020. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Watching Videos of Different Durations Showing Urban Bamboo Forests with Varied Structures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Tian Gao & Tian Zhang & Ling Zhu & Yanan Gao & Ling Qiu, 2019. "Exploring Psychophysiological Restoration and Individual Preference in the Different Environments Based on Virtual Reality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo & Angelia Sia & Anna Fogel & Roger Ho, 2020. "Can Exposure to Certain Urban Green Spaces Trigger Frontal Alpha Asymmetry in the Brain?—Preliminary Findings from a Passive Task EEG Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-10, January.
    4. Tsai-Chiao Wang & Cindy Hui-Ping Sit & Ta-Wei Tang & Chia-Liang Tsai, 2020. "Psychological and Physiological Responses in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: The Use of Acute Exercise and Virtual Reality Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-15, July.
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