Virtual Forest Bathing

Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments
In this systematic review, from 2019 current peer-reviewed articles regarding the physiological effects of visual stimulation from elements or representations of nature in an indoor setting were examined . The articles were analyzed for their stimulation method, physiological measures applied, groups of participants, and outcomes. Thirty-seven articles presenting evidence of the physiological effects of viewing nature were selected. The majority of the studies that used display stimuli, such as photos, 3D images, virtual reality, and videos of natural landscapes, confirmed that viewing natural scenery led to more relaxed body responses than viewing the control. Studies that used real nature stimuli reported that visual contact with flowers, green plants, and wooden materials had positive effects on cerebral and autonomic nervous activities compared with the control. Accumulation of scientific evidence of the physiological relaxation associated with viewing elements of nature would be useful for preventive medicine, specifically nature therapy.

Jo H, Song C, Miyazaki Y. Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(23):4739. Published 2019 Nov 27. doi:10.3390/ijerph16234739

The Effect of Forest Video Using Virtual Reality on the Stress Reduction of University Students Focused on C University in Korea.

The purpose of this study from 2021 is to study the effect of forest videos using virtual reality (VR) on the stress of college students. The study subjects were 60 college students who watched two-dimensional (2D) and VR videos, and we compared their control heart rate variability (HRV) and electroencephalogram (EEG). As a result of the above, it was investigated that forest videos using VR had a positive effect on the physiological stress on college students. Therefore, it is expected that a positive effect will occur if VR is used as an alternative to stress management for college students.

Jo SH, Park JS, Yeon PS. The Effect of Forest Video Using Virtual Reality on the Stress Reduction of University Students Focused on C University in Korea. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(23):12805. Published 2021 Dec 4. doi:10.3390/ijerph182312805

Effect of Viewing Video Representation of the Urban Environment and Forest Environment on Mood and Level of Procrastination.

To measure the impact of the forest environment on the level of procrastination of the subjects, a randomized experiment was carried out, in which the subjects watched in random order (on different days) one of two 15-min videos: one showing a walk in the forest area and one showing a walk in an urban environment (control). We measured the level of so-called ‘fluid procrastination’ including three aspects: ‘lack of energy to do the work’, ‘inability to get to work’ and ’pessimistic attitude to do the work’ with a set of questions the respondents completed before and after the experiment. The results showed that one aspect of fluid procrastination (‘pessimistic attitude to do the work’) can be effectively lowered by watching a video showing the forest environment. In contrast, watching a video of an urban environment increased the procrastination levels for two other aspects of procrastination (‘lack of energy to do the work’, ‘inability to get to work’). We also measured three other parameters before and after the experiment: mood state, restoration and vitality. Watching the video from forest area raised mood and restoration and watching the video from urban area, decreased mood, vitality and restoration.The study suggests that watching a video showing forest landscapes could be used as an effective remedy for problems related to procrastination among students.

Bielinis E, Simkin J, Puttonen P, Tyrväinen L. Effect of Viewing Video Representation of the Urban Environment and Forest Environment on Mood and Level of Procrastination. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(14):5109. Published 2020 Jul 15. doi:10.3390/ijerph17145109

Physiological and Psychological Effects of Watching Videos of Different Durations Showing Urban Bamboo Forests with Varied Structures

This study from 2021 illustrated the physiological and psychological effects of watching videos of different durations showing  bamboo forests with varied structures. Physiological indicators, including EEG (electroencephalogram), blood pressure, skin conductance, and pulse, were monitored in 180 Chinese university students (mean age: 20.72 ± 2.56 years) while they were watching bamboo videos. Before and after watching the videos, their psychological indicators, including positive and negative moods, were measured using the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. After watching the bamboo videos of different durations, all of the physiological indicators responded to the stimulation after only 1 min.

Wang Y, Jiang M, Huang Y, et al. Physiological and Psychological Effects of Watching Videos of Different Durations Showing Urban Bamboo Forests with Varied Structures. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(10):3434. Published 2020 May 14. doi:10.3390/ijerph17103434