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The Influence of Forest Resting Environments on Stress Using Virtual Reality

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaobo Wang

    (College of Architecture and Arts, North China University of Technology, Beijing 100144, China
    Beijing Laboratory of Urban and Rural Ecological Environment, Beijing Municipal Education Commission, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yaxing Shi

    (Beijing Forest Well-being Planning and Design Research Co., Ltd., Beijing 100083, China)

  • Bo Zhang

    (College of Architecture and Arts, North China University of Technology, Beijing 100144, China)

  • Yencheng Chiang

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City 60004, Taiwan)

Abstract

To explore the effects of different types of forest environments for forest therapy, this study focused on forest resting environments. Seven representative forest resting environments found in field research in Beijing were used as independent variables and were shown to subjects by a virtual reality (VR) video. Stress level was used as the dependent variable, and blood pressure, heart rate, salivary amylase, and the Brief Profile of Mood States (BPOMS) were used as physiological and psychological indicators. A between-subjects design was used in the experiment. A total of 96 subjects were randomly assigned to each environment type, and only one type of forest resting environment was observed. Through the relevant sample t -test and one-way analysis of variance, the pre- and post-test data of the indicators were analyzed. This study found that all the seven different types of forest resting environments can produce stress relief effects to some extent. Different types of forest resting environments have different effects on relieving stress. The most natural environment does not have the most significant effect on stress relief. A water landscape has a positive effect on the relief of stress. The conclusions of this study are conducive to the better use of the forest environment for forest therapy services.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaobo Wang & Yaxing Shi & Bo Zhang & Yencheng Chiang, 2019. "The Influence of Forest Resting Environments on Stress Using Virtual Reality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:18:p:3263-:d:264418
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hyeyun Kim & Yong Won Lee & Hyo Jin Ju & Bong Jin Jang & Yeong In Kim, 2019. "An Exploratory Study on the Effects of Forest Therapy on Sleep Quality in Patients with Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-7, July.
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    4. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2019. "Effects of Walking in a Forest on Young Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-12, January.
    5. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Ako Takamatsu & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy on Middle-Aged Males with High-Normal Blood Pressure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, February.
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    Cited by:

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    6. Nienke de Vlieger & Marc T. P. Adam & Pierre-Henry Nicolay & Jessica Piper & Simone Dohle & Clare E. Collins & Tamara Bucher, 2024. "Are Australian Food Companies Using Nature Imagery as a Marketing Strategy? A Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-16, November.
    7. Rui Chen & Yu Gao & Ruixin Zhang & Zhi Zhang & Weikang Zhang & Huan Meng & Tong Zhang, 2023. "How Does the Experience of Forest Recreation Spaces in Different Seasons Affect the Physical and Mental Recovery of Users?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-24, January.
    8. Emad Alyan & Theo Combe & Dayang Rohaya Awang Rambli & Suziah Sulaiman & Frederic Merienne & Nadia Diyana Mohd Muhaiyuddin, 2021. "The Influence of Virtual Forest Walk on Physiological and Psychological Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    9. Hongqidi Li & Wenyi Dong & Zhimeng Wang & Nuo Chen & Jianping Wu & Guangxin Wang & Ting Jiang, 2021. "Effect of a Virtual Reality-Based Restorative Environment on the Emotional and Cognitive Recovery of Individuals with Mild-to-Moderate Anxiety and Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-30, August.
    10. Yu Gao & Yingna Zhang & Weikang Zhang & Huan Meng & Zhi Zhang & Tong Zhang, 2024. "Well-Being and Sustainable Utilization of Forest Environment with Diverse Vegetation Distributions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-18, September.
    11. Ernest Bielinis & Jianzhong Xu & Aneta Anna Omelan, 2020. "A Novel Anti-Environmental Forest Experience Scale to Predict Preferred Pleasantness Associated with Forest Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-18, September.
    12. Ernest Bielinis & Jenni Simkin & Pasi Puttonen & Liisa Tyrväinen, 2020. "Effect of Viewing Video Representation of the Urban Environment and Forest Environment on Mood and Level of Procrastination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-23, July.
    13. Gianluca Grilli & Sandro Sacchelli, 2020. "Health Benefits Derived from Forest: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
    14. Viola Benedetti & Gioele Gavazzi & Fiorenza Giganti & Elio Carlo & Francesco Riccardo Becheri & Federica Zabini & Fabio Giovannelli & Maria Pia Viggiano, 2023. "Virtual Forest Environment Influences Inhibitory Control," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, July.
    15. Dahlia Stott & DeAndra Forde & Chetan Sharma & Jonathan M. Deutsch & Michael Bruneau & Jennifer A. Nasser & Mara Z. Vitolins & Brandy-Joe Milliron, 2024. "Interactions with Nature, Good for the Mind and Body: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-26, March.

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