Simulating the Benefits of Nature Exposure on Cognitive Performance in Virtual Reality: A Window into Possibilities for Education and Cognitive Health

Abstract

Purpose: This one-group pretest–posttest, designed within a subject study, looks to compare the effects of an outdoor nature walk (ONW) to those of a virtual nature walk (VRW) on memory and cognitive function. Implications are discussed for education as well as for the world of virtual reality. Methods: Sixty-four healthy university students were asked to complete an ONW and a VRW, which was created using 3D video of the same nature trail used for the ONW. The VRW condition involved a five-minute walk on a treadmill, while wearing a virtual reality mask (Oculus, San Francisco) that projected a previously recorded three-dimensional capture of the same nature walk they experienced outdoors. Both experimental conditions lasted approximately 5 min and were counterbalanced between participants. A Digit Span Test (Digit) for working memory and a Trail Test (TMT) for executive function were administered to all study participants, immediately before and after each type of walk. Results: For executive function testing (Trail Making Test), our results demonstrate that both the ONW and VRW condition improved the TMT time, when compared to a baseline (ONW 37.06 1.31 s vs. 31.75 1.07 s, p < 0.01 and VRW 36.19 1.18 s vs. 30.69 1.11 s, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the ONW and VRW groups. Similarly, for the Digit memory task, both conditions improved compared to the baseline (ONW 54.30 3.01 vs. 68.4 2.66, p < 0.01 and VRW 58.1 3.10 vs. 67.4 2.72, p < 0.01). There was a difference at the baseline between the ONW and VRW conditions (54.3 3.01 vs. 58.1 3.10, p < 0.01), but this baseline difference in memory performance was no longer significant post exercise, between groups at follow-up (68.4 2.66 vs. 67.4 2.72, p < 0.08). Conclusions: Our results suggest that both a virtual reality protocol and a nature walk can have positive outcomes on memory and executive function in younger adults.

Impact of natural and urban environments on thermal pain perception: Experimental study in virtual environments

“…As suspected, not only actual nature with a predominance of greenery but also its virtual projection can induce psychologically beneficial effects (cf. Léger & Mekari, 2022), including an analgesic effect. Additionally, the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to assess the variability in pain intensity measurements, specifically the contrast between pre-test and post-test pain intensity across various comparison groups.…”

Complementarity with Real Forests: A Conceptual Framework and Narrative Review of Multidimensional Effects in Virtual Forests

“…Several included studies considered differences between multiple exposure media, including comparisons between virtual and real forests and those between different virtual media (Table 1). Eight studies compared virtual and real forests: one compared real environments with 2D photos [61], two compared real environments with 360-VR [62,63], three compared real environments with CG-VR [22,64,65], one study compared real environments with 360-VR and CG-VR [66], and one study compared real environments with 2D videos and CG-VR [67]. An earlier study reported that although both 2D and real environments promote stress reduction, real environments rated significantly higher in terms of the degree of altered states of consciousness (ASC) and energy [61].…”

“…A study comparing real forests and 360-VR forests found that both types of exposure to nature increased physiological arousal, benefited positive mood levels, and were restorative compared with indoor environments without nature [62]. One study reported similar benefits from real forests and 360-VR in terms of memory and executive function [63]. A study comparing a digital twin's virtual forest with a real forest exhibited no significant difference in increased relaxation [22].…”

“…The majority of subjects in the included studies were seated, with only a few studies involving other types of interactions. One study involved walking on a treadmill while wearing a VR mask [63], and another involved moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (cycling) in a CAVE virtual system [52]. A study that compared sitting and standing in a virtual environment reported an enhanced presence while standing [54].…”

“…Such studies mainly utilized measurement scales such as the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Cognitive effects, including short-term memory [60], creativity [115], attention [93,94,116], executive function [63], and cognitive performance [58,73] Only eight studies addressed the connection-oriented effects of virtual forests, all of them related to ecological effects, whereas no study reported on social and transcendental effects. Outcome indicators of connection-oriented effects include nature connectedness [67,81,82,105], motivation to participate in nature in the future [82], and ecological behavior (pro-environmental behavior) [102].…”