Smartphone-based virtual reality for relaxation: From user preferences to app development (Preprint) DOI

Amandine Verstegen,

Tom Van Daele, Bert Bonroy

et al.

Published: May 31, 2024

BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence supports the use of virtual reality (VR) in mental healthcare. One potential application is as a means to support people relaxation exercises. Despite studies finding for VR effectively aid relaxation, its implementation remains limited outside specialized clinics. Known barriers are insufficient knowledge regarding operation, lack availability apps tailored local healthcare systems, and cost concerns. Unfortunately, many applications designed exclusively stand-alone headsets, limiting accessibility broad audience. OBJECTIVE The present study two-fold. First, participants were asked evaluate two different applications. Second, based on that evaluation an extensive literature review, novel smartphone-based was developed. We specifically opted limit associated costs increase wider METHODS In evaluative study, 30 took part separate sessions, assessing one each session. After session, presented with open-ended questions assess their experiences via online survey tool. These explored positive negative features, shortcomings suggestions improvements, left room additional remarks concerning analyzed responses using thematic analysis. RESULTS Across both apps, five recurring themes identified participants' answers: Audio, Visuals, Features, Implementation, Experience. findings conducted which served basis developing application. resulting app Dutch-language, application, customization options including three types exercises, guiding voices, environments. Efforts have been made ensure maximum variation dynamism Calming music nature sounds accompany CONCLUSIONS This provides insights into key features applications, subsequently used development Further research effectiveness this app, along broader efficacy user feedback recommended. More generally, there clear need more impact interactivity, biofeedback, type environment relaxation.

Language: Английский

Light in motion – Effects of dynamic and static light patterns from nature on subjective and physiological stress DOI Creative Commons
Özge Karaman-Madan, Kynthia Chamilothori, Mpj Mariëlle Aarts

et al.

Building and Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 112933 - 112933

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Physical nature associated with affective well-being, but technological nature falls short: Insights from an intensive longitudinal field study in the United States DOI
Michelle Ng, Yikun Chi, Nilàm Ram

et al.

Journal of Environmental Psychology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 102611 - 102611

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Pilot Testing an Ecotherapy Program for Adolescence: Initial Findings and Methodological Reflections DOI Open Access

Sophie Westwood,

Grace Edmunds-Jones,

Thomas O. Maguire

et al.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 22(5), P. 720 - 720

Published: May 1, 2025

Children and young people’s mental health well-being has seen a dramatic decline. In the UK, this been exacerbated by service retrenchment associated with austerity, evidence of increasing inequalities. Service innovation that is grounded in practice, ongoing learning, co-designed children people required now. This can provide creative solutions within local context contribute to fledgling base explores complex mechanisms impact. methodological reflection describes co-design process bespoke, group-based ecotherapy programme: from early piloting using appreciative enquiry before COVID-19 health, public Street Services team port city Plymouth, further developing an evaluation framework through innovative, matched-funded academia–practice partnership. The findings showcase benefits systems-based approach public, multi-agency academic collaboration, facilitated peer practitioner researchers embedded researchers-in-residence. They highlight need consider nuances specific (connecting self, others, animals, nature) non-specific active ingredients emerging constantly adapting (therapeutic relationship practitioners/carers; nature as therapist, group dynamics), well value pragmatic participatory methods (distance-travelled, goal-based measures; ethnographic, qualitative observation), rapid, continuous, real-time learning improvement.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Unlocking the Power of Nature: Insights from a 20-Minute Forest Visit on Well-Being DOI Open Access
Daniela Haluza, Paula Kersten,

Tanja Lazic

et al.

Forests, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(5), P. 792 - 792

Published: May 8, 2025

Recent research underscores the positive effects of nature exposure on health and well-being. Growing evidence also links biodiversity within these environments to enhanced outcomes, as diverse ecosystems may offer a broader range multi-sensory stimuli. This experimental field study investigated psychological physiological outcomes linked spending time in forest compared an urban environment. Sixty-six healthy participants were randomly assigned spend 20 min either environment with alternating tree species richness Wienerwald near Vienna, Austria, or Psychological data collected using validated scales, saliva cortisol samples taken before after intervention. Findings showed that visit significantly reduced negative emotions, affect, lowered levels more effectively than However, increased diversity setting did not further amplify benefits. These results suggest potential mental stress reduction benefits case Wienerwald, supporting consideration nature-based interventions public initiatives. While appears have limited additional effects, future could investigate its role therapy practices.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Stress reduction from landscape painting and live nature viewing: a comparative experimental study DOI Creative Commons
Linda Powers Tomasso, Piotr Białowolski, John D. Spengler

et al.

Journal of Global Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: May 16, 2025

Societal trends indicate a decreasing frequency of visits to natural settings and an increasing withdrawal from such environments. Separation environments may lead individuals miss out on the health benefits associated with direct exposure nature, including stress reduction positive mood enhancement. Given these trends, surrogate exposures live nature might comparably reduce are worth exploring. This experimental study contrasts viewing landscape paintings vs. in situ. We used sensor-monitored skin conductance survey instruments 37 older adults who regular museum visitors measure individual recovery improvements indicators for each treatment, outdoor park indoor paintings, conducted during museum-based educational programme May 2022 Northeastern USA. Difference-in-difference analyses data identified comparable statistical magnitude following both types. However, significantly lower average levels physiological arousal as measured by were observed among viewers (α = 0.126 α 1.172 gallery viewing). Regression analysis comparing slopes rates change calming events revealed faster rate (β -0.217 β -0.066 park). Findings this research could be relevant populations without access or disinclined go outdoors offering alternatives first-person contact that enhance affect viewing.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The Effectiveness of Nature-Based Interventions in Combating PTSD: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review DOI
Murat Genç, Özden Yalçınkaya Alkar

Journal of Environmental Psychology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 102627 - 102627

Published: May 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Combined Effects of the Visual–Acoustic Environment on Public Response in Urban Forests DOI Open Access

Yuxiang Lan,

Yuanyang Tang,

Zhanhua Liu

et al.

Forests, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(5), P. 858 - 858

Published: May 14, 2024

Urban forests are increasingly recognized as vital components of urban ecosystems, offering a plethora physiological and psychological benefits to residents. However, the existing research has often focused on single dimensions either visual or auditory experiences, overlooking combined impact audio–visual environments public health well-being. This study addresses this gap by examining effects composite settings within three distinct types in Fuzhou, China: mountain, mountain–water, waterfront forests. Through field surveys quantitative analysis at 24 sample sites, we assessed landscape elements, soundscapes, indicators (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance), responses spiritual vitality, stress relief, emotional arousal, attention recovery) among 77 participants. Our findings reveal that different forest exert varying influences visitors’ physiology psychology, with generally promoting relaxation mountain–water inducing higher degree tension. Specific such plant, water scenes, natural sounds, positively affect restoration, whereas noise is associated increased indicators. In conclusion, integrated landscapes significantly shape multisensory experiences forests, underscoring importance optimal design incorporates elements create restorative beneficial well-being These insights not only contribute scientific understanding but also inform management green spaces for enhanced outcomes.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Development of a Building Evaluation Framework for Biophilic Design in Architecture DOI Creative Commons

Rafa Ramisha Tabassum,

Jihyun Park

Buildings, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(10), P. 3254 - 3254

Published: Oct. 14, 2024

Biophilic design has gained prominence in architecture as a strategy to integrate natural elements into built environments, aiming improve human comfort, well-being, and environmental sustainability. This paper critically reviews existing biophilic frameworks, identifying gaps their integration of health outcomes the relationship between indoor outdoor with primary focus on quality (IEQ) factors such air quality, light, thermal acoustics. The review was conducted systematically, comparing frameworks using criteria benefits, human–nature connections, user satisfaction. Key findings highlight lack comprehensive that explicitly link measurable improvements health, To address this gap, study proposes an enhanced framework bridges IEQ-focused environments urban elements, prioritizing comfort alongside also emphasizes role post-occupancy evaluation (POE) assessing real-world performance interventions, particularly achieving satisfaction ensuring long-term effectiveness. research contributes advancement by offering actionable strategies for architects, planners, policymakers adopt principles create resilient, healthy, sustainable spaces. Additionally, need empirical testing validation proposed framework, including POE surveys, assess its impact well-being satisfaction, thus setting stage future research.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Evaluating Biophilic Design strategies in Immersive Virtual Indoor Environments: a systematic review on the Implications for buildings occupants DOI Creative Commons
Elisa Di Giuseppe, Ludovica Marcelli, Arianna Latini

et al.

Journal of Building Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 111127 - 111127

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Forest Visitors’ Multisensory Perception and Restoration Effects: A Study of China’s National Forest Parks by Introducing Generative Large Language Model DOI Open Access
Wei Yu,

Yueyuan Hou

Forests, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(12), P. 2412 - 2412

Published: Dec. 11, 2023

Sensory perception of forests is closely related to human health and well-being. Based on attention recovery theory stress relief theory, this paper investigates the influence sensory visitors’ restoration effects from a multidimensional multisensory perspective, integrating use generative large language model, regression analysis, semantic analysis. The results study show that (1) application model provides new ideas methods solve dilemma caused by traditional self-report scale measurement possible way explore research paradigm in context rapid development artificial intelligence; (2) each quantity differed, with quantities sight, hearing, touch, taste having significant positive effect effects, sense smell negative effects; (3) psychological distance partially had both proximal distal were significantly correlated intermediate but was not significant; (4) dimension has integration synergistic senses are enhanced, cross-perception at social level; (5) elements National Forest Parks mainly natural attributes, “people” also play an important role effects. This useful complement forest perception, same time reference value for exploring management recreation experience marketing practices.

Language: Английский

Citations

5