Effect of a Virtual Reality-Based Restorative Environment on the Emotional and Cognitive Recovery of Individuals with Mild-to-Moderate Anxiety and Depression

Hongqidi Li, Wenyi Dong, Zhimeng Wang, Nuo Chen, Jianping Wu, Guangxin Wang and Ting Jiang
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Hongqidi Li: Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Wenyi Dong: Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Zhimeng Wang: Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Nuo Chen: Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Jianping Wu: Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Guangxin Wang: Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Ting Jiang: Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-30

Abstract: In this study, restorative environment theory and virtual reality (VR) technology were combined to build different 3D dynamic VR interactive scenes. We discuss the effects of a VR restorative environment on the emotional and cognitive recovery of individuals with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression. First, we built a VR restorative garden scene, divided into four areas: forest, lawn, horticultural planting, and water features. The scene was verified to have a good recovery effect in 26 participants. Then, 195 participants with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression were selected as experimental subjects. Through psychological testing and EMG (Electromyography) and EEG (Electroencephalography) data feedback, we further explored the differences in the sense of presence in VR restorative scenes and their effect on individual emotional and cognitive recovery. The results showed that (1) both the restorative environment images and the VR scenes had a healing effect (the reduction in negative emotions and the recovery of positive emotions and cognition), with no difference in the subjective feeling of recovery among the different scenes, but the recovery score of the VR urban environment was higher than that of the natural environment (differing from the results in real environments); (2) a high sense of presence can be experienced in different VR scenes, and interactive activities in VR scenes can provide a great presence experience; (3) the recovery effects of VR restorative environment on emotion and self-efficacy are realized through the presence of VR scenes; (4) a VR restorative environment is helpful for the emotional improvement and cognitive recovery of individuals with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression. VR urban scenes also have good recovery effects. In terms of cognitive recovery, self-efficacy improved significantly. In addition, from the perspective of EEG indicators, the VR restorative scene experience activated the prefrontal lobe, which is conducive to cognitive recovery in individuals with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression. In terms of emotional improvement, negative emotions were significantly reduced in the different VR scene groups. In conclusion, we further explored ways to help individuals with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression, in order to promote the development and application of mental health.

Keywords: restorative environment; virtual reality; presence; anxiety and depression; cognitive recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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