IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i13p7878-d848900.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effects of Restorative Environment and Presence on Anxiety and Depression Based on Interactive Virtual Reality Scenarios

Author

Listed:
  • Zhimeng Wang

    (Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Yue Li

    (Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    Department of Psychology, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jingchen An

    (Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Wenyi Dong

    (Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Hongqidi Li

    (Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Huirui Ma

    (Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Junhui Wang

    (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)

  • Ting Jiang

    (Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Guangxin Wang

    (Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

Anxiety and depression have been growing global mental health problems. The following studies explored the effect of interactive VR scenarios to find a low-cost and high-efficiency solution. Study 1 designed a 2 (anxiety and depression state) × 4 (interactive VR scenarios) experiment, the results of 20 participants showed that the designed scenarios had good restoration and presence, assisting to improve depression mood for people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Study 2 further investigated the intervention effects of two environment types (urban and park) and four interactive activities (automatic viewing, free-roaming, fishing, and watering plants in the park environment), based on data from a 10-minute experiment conducted by 195 participants with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. The subjective scales, EEG and EMG, and scenario experience were analyzed and the results showed that: (1) the restorative and present VR scenarios were beneficial in alleviating state anxiety and depression; (2) the restorative environment and presence were significantly and positively related to the reduction of anxiety and depression respectively, moreover, presence mediated the restorative environment on the recovery from anxiety and depression; (3) the environmental settings, the complexity of interaction, human factors, and maturity of VR devices and technology were also key factors that influenced the effects of interactive VR scenario experience and intervention. These studies revealed VR psychological intervention scenarios could be designed with comprehensive factors. Moreover, they might help pave the way for future study in exploring the physiology and psychology mode in virtual and real spaces, enhancing intervention effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhimeng Wang & Yue Li & Jingchen An & Wenyi Dong & Hongqidi Li & Huirui Ma & Junhui Wang & Jianping Wu & Ting Jiang & Guangxin Wang, 2022. "Effects of Restorative Environment and Presence on Anxiety and Depression Based on Interactive Virtual Reality Scenarios," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-27, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7878-:d:848900
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/13/7878/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/13/7878/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marcia P. Jimenez & Nicole V. DeVille & Elise G. Elliott & Jessica E. Schiff & Grete E. Wilt & Jaime E. Hart & Peter James, 2021. "Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo & Angelia Sia & Anna Fogel & Roger Ho, 2020. "Can Exposure to Certain Urban Green Spaces Trigger Frontal Alpha Asymmetry in the Brain?—Preliminary Findings from a Passive Task EEG Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-10, January.
    3. Yun Ling & Harold T Nefs & Nexhmedin Morina & Ingrid Heynderickx & Willem-Paul Brinkman, 2014. "A Meta-Analysis on the Relationship between Self-Reported Presence and Anxiety in Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(5), pages 1-12, May.
    4. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Takafumi Abe & Kenta Okuyama & Tsuyoshi Hamano & Miwako Takeda & Masayuki Yamasaki & Minoru Isomura & Kunihiko Nakano & Kristina Sundquist & Toru Nabika, 2021. "Assessing the Impact of a Hilly Environment on Depressive Symptoms among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Ziliang Jin & Jiangping Wang & Xu Liu & Xu Han & Jiaojiao Qi & Jingyong Wang, 2022. "Stress Recovery Effects of Viewing Simulated Urban Parks: Landscape Types, Depressive Symptoms, and Gender Differences," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-23, December.
    3. Kamila Czepczor-Bernat & Justyna Modrzejewska & Adriana Modrzejewska & Viren Swami, 2022. "The Impact of a Woodland Walk on Body Image: A Field Experiment and an Assessment of Dispositional and Environmental Determinants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.
    4. Juuli-Mari Kokkonen & Henna Vepsäläinen & Anna Abdollahi & Hanna Paasio & Samuli Ranta & Maijaliisa Erkkola & Eva Roos & Carola Ray, 2021. "Associations between Parent–Child Nature Visits and Sleep, Physical Activity and Weight Status among Finnish 3–6-Year-Olds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-11, November.
    5. Nicole V. DeVille & Linda Powers Tomasso & Olivia P. Stoddard & Grete E. Wilt & Teresa H. Horton & Kathleen L. Wolf & Eric Brymer & Peter H. Kahn & Peter James, 2021. "Time Spent in Nature Is Associated with Increased Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-18, July.
    6. Andreia Teixeira & Ronaldo Gabriel & José Martinho & Irene Oliveira & Mário Santos & Graça Pinto & Helena Moreira, 2023. "Distance to Natural Environments, Physical Activity, Sleep, and Body Composition in Women: An Exploratory Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.
    7. Uchita Vaid, 2024. "Cognitive Health Costs of Poor Housing for Women: Exploring Executive Function and Housing Stress in Urban Slums in India," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Caressha Faye A. Bernaldez. & Mary Glenda A. Lugtu, Ph.D., 2024. "Unleashing Potentials: Harnessing Self-Imagery and Self-Talk for Athletic Excellence," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(11), pages 1097-1118, November.
    9. Zhen Liu & Lingfeng Ren & Chang Xiao & Ke Zhang & Peter Demian, 2022. "Virtual Reality Aided Therapy towards Health 4.0: A Two-Decade Bibliometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-26, January.
    10. Zhengyang Xu & Sofia Marini & Mario Mauro & Pasqualino Maietta Latessa & Alessia Grigoletto & Stefania Toselli, 2025. "Associations Between Urban Green Space Quality and Mental Wellbeing: Systematic Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-23, February.
    11. Xuanyi Wang & Shulin Chen, 2023. "The Moderating Effects of Gender and Dispositional Mindful Observation on the Relationship between Nature Contact and Psychological Distress: A Cross-Sectional Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-13, November.
    12. Daniel Masterson & Margarita Triguero-Mas & Sandra Marquez & Wilma Zijlema & David Martinez & Christopher Gidlow & Graham Smith & Gemma Hurst & Marta Cirach & Regina Grazuleviciene & Magdalena Van den, 2022. "Use of the Natural Outdoor Environment in Different Populations in Europe in Relation to Access: Implications for Policy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-13, February.
    13. Fernandez-Osso Fuentes, Maria J. & Keegan, Brendan J. & Jones, Marc V. & MacIntyre, Tadhg E., 2024. "Conceptualizing digital placemaking in nature for wellbeing," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    14. Kaili Chen & Tianzheng Zhang & Fangyuan Liu & Yingjie Zhang & Yan Song, 2021. "How Does Urban Green Space Impact Residents’ Mental Health: A Literature Review of Mediators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-27, November.
    15. Kate McLellan & Narantsatsral Ganzorigta & Khulan Davaakhuu & Nicolas Spencer, 2025. "Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-10, January.
    16. Allison L. Ricket & G. Jason Jolley & Faith Beale Knutsen & Sarah C. Davis, 2023. "Rural Sustainable Prosperity: Social Enterprise Ecosystems as a Framework for Sustainable Rural Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    17. Maja B. Stosic & Jelena Kaljevic & Bojan Nikolic & Marko Tanaskovic & Aleksandar Kolarov, 2024. "Smart Anklet Use to Measure Vascular Health Benefits of Preventive Intervention in a Nature-Based Environment—A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-11, May.
    18. Varvara Charisi & Aglaia Zafeiroudi & Ioannis Trigonis & Ioannis Tsartsapakis & Charilaos Kouthouris, 2025. "The Impact of Green Spaces on Workplace Creativity: A Systematic Review of Nature-Based Activities and Employee Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-19, January.
    19. Alessio Russo & Maria Beatrice Andreucci, 2023. "Raising Healthy Children: Promoting the Multiple Benefits of Green Open Spaces through Biophilic Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    20. Julia C. Harris & Isabelle G. Wilson & Carlos Cardenas-Iniguez & Ashley L. Watts & Krista M. Lisdahl, 2025. "The Childhood Opportunity Index 2.0: Factor Structure in 9–10 Year Olds in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-20, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7878-:d:848900. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.