Using the EEG+VR+LEC evaluation method to explore the combined influence of temperature and spatial openness on the physiological recovery of post-disaster populations

Junjie Li,Yichun Jin,Ruyue Zhao,Yingjie Han,Guillaume Habert

doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110637

Junjie Li, Yichun Jin + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110637

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Abstract

Natural disasters have always been a substantial threat to human survival and development. Due to climate change, the number of weather-related disasters has more than doubled worldwide, further emphasizing the need for research on post-disaster environments. However, conducting comprehensive studies in actual disaster settings poses a number of challenges. This study proposes a novel approach that combines electroencephalography (EEG), virtual reality (VR), and laboratory environmental control (LEC) to investigate the joint effects of temperature and spatial openness on the psychological recovery of post-disaster populations. The integration of these techniques provided a controlled and immersive experimental environment for simulating post-disaster scenarios. This study conducted a controlled group experiment focusing on two variables in post-disaster environments: temperature range and spatial openness. Three temperature ranges were selected for the temperature condition: high (30 °C–36 °C), mid (22 °C–28 °C), and low temperature zones (12 °C–20 °C); the temperature environments were controlled by LEC. In terms of spatial openness, three levels were chosen: temporary emergency shelters (enclosed space), the semi-outdoor area of the emergency building (BBBC) designed by the project team (semi-open space), and open natural environments (open space). This research then established a temperature-spatial openness matrix. The study involved emotional recovery experiments for nine patterns of post-disaster environments, using physiological parameters such as EEG, skin conductance, and heart rate, as well as psychological parameters established through subjective questionnaires. The findings of this study will be beneficial for efficiently and reasonably optimizing human-centered spatial environment designs in post-disaster situations featuring limited resources.

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