The Impact of Virtual Reality Nature Environments on Calmness, Arousal and Energy: a Multi-Method Study

Noronha, Hildegardo; Campos, Pedro

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.13/5682

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Authors

Noronha, Hildegardo

Campos, Pedro

Abstract(s)

Virtual Reality is the current media's epitome of Immersiveness, Presence and Suspension of Disbelief. Both research and gaming industry communities have been building on this in order to exhaustively research and explore feelings of high-adrenaline, scariness, panic and other visceral and instinctive feelings. We take the opposite approach and try to prove that Virtual Reality can also be used to induce feelings of relaxation and soothingness effectively and strongly. Therefore, it could be used to improve the mental health of people who cannot be exposed to situations that induce said feelings. In our experiments, we found that Virtual Reality can be used to induce a strong sense of Calmness and to reduce the sense of Arousal and Energy, with a high degree of significance, having an effect with short-duration exposures. We also found hints that Virtual Reality may have an effect in the circadian cycle's regulation by exposing the subjects to a virtual sunset.

Keywords

Virtual reality Digital wellbeing Digital nature . Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e da Engenharia

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.13/5682

Citation

Noronha, H., & Campos, P. (2021, July). The Impact of Virtual Reality Nature Environments on Calmness, Arousal and Energy: a Multi-Method Study. In 34th British HCI Conference (pp. 36-47). BCS Learning & Development.