Restorative natural experiences in immersive landscapes and waterscapes during virtual reality exercise for mental health promotion.
Immersive natural environments in virtual reality can capture involuntary attention, thereby contributing to improved health-promoting practices according to the Attention Restoration Theory. Landscapes and waterscapes provide restorative environments that foster a sense of connection with nature and create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. This study investigated the health effects of VR exercise in two specific implementations: professionally produced waterscapes and self-recorded landscapes.
The study design was a randomized controlled trial conducted between September 2022 and June 2023. Forty eligible participants were randomly assigned to a waterscape group, and 32 participants were allocated to a landscape group. All participants received identical exercise program sessions of 30 min each conducted weekly for 12 weeks. The virtual reality headsets displayed two different series of non-repetitive 360° videos of professionally produced waterscapes or self-recorded landscapes. Data were collected at the pre- and post-test periods through a body composition analyzer and self-administered questionnaires.
The comprehensive and mental quality of life, skeletomuscular index, and fat-free mass of participants in the waterscape group improved, while their body mass index decreased. Participants in the waterscapes group revealed a greater experience in perceived restorativeness and less virtual reality sickness than those in the landscapes group.
Professionally produced VR waterscapes yielded superior mental and physical health outcomes compared to self-recorded landscapes. Virtual reality exercise in immersive natural environments is recommended as a restorative experience for health promotion.
The study design was a randomized controlled trial conducted between September 2022 and June 2023. Forty eligible participants were randomly assigned to a waterscape group, and 32 participants were allocated to a landscape group. All participants received identical exercise program sessions of 30 min each conducted weekly for 12 weeks. The virtual reality headsets displayed two different series of non-repetitive 360° videos of professionally produced waterscapes or self-recorded landscapes. Data were collected at the pre- and post-test periods through a body composition analyzer and self-administered questionnaires.
The comprehensive and mental quality of life, skeletomuscular index, and fat-free mass of participants in the waterscape group improved, while their body mass index decreased. Participants in the waterscapes group revealed a greater experience in perceived restorativeness and less virtual reality sickness than those in the landscapes group.
Professionally produced VR waterscapes yielded superior mental and physical health outcomes compared to self-recorded landscapes. Virtual reality exercise in immersive natural environments is recommended as a restorative experience for health promotion.