Ellie Smith

Chawkat

G/T Independent Research

February 22, 2018

Relaxation With Immersive Natural Scene Presented Using Virtual Reality

Anderson, A. P., Fellows, A. M., Cowan, D. R., & Buckey, J. C. (2017). Relaxation with
Immersive Natural Scenes Presented Using Virtual Reality. Aerospace Medicine and
Human Performance, 88(6), 520-526. doi:10.3357/amhp.4747.2017

This study assessed the use of virtual reality (VR) to provide exposure to natural scenes

for people living in isolated and confined environments (ICE), such as space. The author

explains that natural scenes shown on a head mounted display (HMD) reduce stress and improve

mood. Additionally, it exposes crewmembers in ICEs to natural environments while they are not

readily available. The study that was performed involved 18 participants (9 men and 9 women)

aged 32 ± 12 years. The participants were exposed to a control scene (empty indoor classrooms),

a first natural scene (Ireland), and a second natural scene (Dream Beach) after being given a

mentally stressful arithmetic test. The data showed that there was a greater decrease of

electrodermal activity (EDA) after viewing the scenes compared to the control scene.

Additionally, negative affect (NA) was reduced by the natural scenes, while the control scene did

not reduce NA. Also, the scenes that participants preferred the most decreased NA more than

their second choice scene. This data proved that natural scene VR provided relaxation

objectively and subjectively. Virtual reality creates an opportunity for relaxation for people

living in ICEs, especially when using their preferred scene. The author also believes that VR

with allow people in ICEs to have an escape from daily tasks by creating a sense of being away.

The research group is currently conducting the same research in ICEs rather than in a lab.
 The four following researchers were the main authors of this journal, Allison Anderson,

Abigail Fellows, Devin Cowan, and Jay Buckey. Allison Anderson is an assistant professor of

bioastronautics from the University of Colorado Boulder. Abigail Fellows was a research

technician at Dartmouth University. Devin Cowan, a research assistant, works in the department

of biomedical science at Dartmouth University. Lastly, Jay Buckey, a professor of medicine at

Dartmouth, has published many works relating to space physiology and medicine, computer-

based psychological training and treatment programs, and virtual reality applications. In this

study, the authors approached the topic from all sides and included no bias. The authors provided

background and follow-up information. This current article references other studies to

corroborate their information. For example, Restorative Effects of Virtual Nature Settings by

Deltcho Valtchanov, Kevin R. Barton, and Colin Ellard confirms through their study the

psychological benefits of viewing nature scenes through VR. This article successfully informs

high school and college students about the psychological benefits of VR for ICEs. The authors

share this detailed study to assess and determine the psychological benefits of viewing natural

scenes through VR in ICEs.