Virtual reality applications: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:36, 12 January 2025

Revision as of 04:36, 12 January 2025

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== Restorative nature experiences ==

[[File:Mountain nature landscape made with Unity.jpg|thumb|An example of a nature-oriented virtual environment made with real-time rendering engine Unity.]]

Studies on exposure to nature environments show how they are able to help individuals relax, recover attention capacity and cognitive function, reduce stress and stimulate positive moods.<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal|last1=Depledge|first1=M. H.|last2=Stone|first2=R. J.|last3=Bird|first3=W. J.|date=2011|title=Can natural and virtual environments be used to promote improved human health and wellbeing?|journal=Environmental Science & Technology|volume=45|issue=11|pages=4660–4665|doi=10.1021/es103907m|pmid=21504154|bibcode=2011EnST...45.4660D}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=White |first1=M. |last2=Smith |first2=A. |last3=Humphryes |first3=K. |last4=Pahl |first4=S. |last5=Snelling |first5=D. |last6=Depledge |first6=M. |date=2010 |title=Blue space: The importance of water for preference, affect, and restorativeness ratings of natural and built scenes |journal=Journal of Environmental Psychology |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=482–493 | doi=10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.04.004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kaplan|first=S.|date=1995|title=The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework|journal=Journal of Environmental Psychology|volume=16|issue=3|pages=169–182|doi=10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2|s2cid=4993000 }}</ref> The [[Attention Restoration Theory]] and Stress Recovery Theory<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Ulrich|first1=R. S.|title=Behavior and the Natural Environment |date=1983|chapter=Aesthetic and affective response to natural environment|publisher=Springer, Boston, MA|chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3539-9_4|isbn=978-1-4613-3541-2|page=85-12585–125|doi=10.1007/978-1-4613-3539-9_4 }}</ref> explain the mechanisms by which VR nature environments can lead to mental restoration.<ref name=":13">{{cite web|url=https://www.relaxvr.co/blog/promoting-relaxation-with-virtual-reality|title=Promoting Relaxation with Virtual Reality|last=Alsina Jurnet|first=Ivan|date=2022|work=Relax VR|access-date=June 28, 2024}}</ref> This is in contrast to urban environments that have shown to be less restorative.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Berman|first1=M. G.|date=2008|title=The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature|journal=Psychological Science|volume=19|issue=12|pages=1207–1212 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x|pmid=19121124 }}</ref>

Immersive virtual reality technology is able to replicate believable restorative nature experiences, either using 360 degree video footage or environments created from 3D real-time rendering, often developed using game engines like [[Unreal Engine]] or [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]. This is useful for users who cannot access certain areas, for example, senior citizens or residents of nursing homes who face physical restraints or complications.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Bruun-Pedersen|first1=J. R.|last2=Serafin|first2=S.|last3=Busk Kofoed|first3=L.|date=2016|title=Restorative virtual environment design for augmenting nursing home rehabilitation|journal=Journal for Virtual Worlds Research|volume=9|issue=3|pages=1–24|doi=10.4101/jvwr.v9i3.7224|doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |doi-access=free}}</ref>