Restorative effects of virtual natural settings on middle-aged and elderly adults

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated health benefits result from exposure to natural environments. Virtual reality (VR) may offer an alternative to actual outdoor immersion by generating a simulated health-promoting environment. Given that health issues are more prevalent in older adults, this study investigated the restorative effects of virtual natural settings on middle-aged and elderly adults. A cross-over pretest-posttest design was used to measure changes in participants’ mood levels, physiological and psychological responses, and attentional measures of cognitive functioning (N = 34). Semi-structured interviews after the VR experiences were conducted to evaluate participants’ experiences. Physiological responses to VR did not differ between virtual natural and urban settings. In contrast, participants expressed more positive feelings and lower levels of fatigue and depression after viewing virtual nature settings than after viewing virtual urban settings. Virtual nature settings were also rated as more restorative than virtual urban settings. Further, participants described virtual natural settings as appeasing and relaxing, so much so that they were motivated to travel outdoors to experience the settings shown in VR. Our findings provide additional evidence that viewing simulated natural settings in VR can be beneficial for this population. Perhaps the most promising finding is that VR may motivate older adults to experience nature outdoors, thus promoting synergistic benefits first during virtual exposure and then during actual exposure.