Virtual Reality (VR) and Real Environments for Studying the Effects of Environment on Health and Well-Being
Dr. Shashi-Kant Gupta
Dr. Inam-Ullah Khan
Special Issue Information
Dear collegues,
In recent times Virtual Reality (VR) plays vital role in the interactions of human being with the surroundings in every aspect of life. The importance of house to residents' health and well-being has never been more stressed than it is now as a result of the escalating crises of the last few years, including the pandemic, climate change, and growing social imbalances that have led to a global housing crisis. In addition to highlighting the need for strengthening housing resilience in the face of national or international emergencies, recent experiences have also brought to light the crucial role that homes always play in the mental, emotional, and social well-being of vulnerable subgroups, such as the elderly, disabled, children, and women.
Virtual Reality (VR) technology provides immersive and interactive user experiences with respect to different environmental key parameters like:
l The body of evidence supporting the psychological benefits of exposure to virtual nature, such as increased mood and decreased stress, is rapidly growing. However, few studies have explored the potential of virtual nature to boost subjective vitality, defined as a positive feeling of aliveness and energy.
l Virtual Reality (VR) can bring a person to a restorative natural environment—an immersive experience containing elements from blue and green space that help reduce stress and anxiety.
l The Environmental Knowledge Model (EKM) that explains human navigation in terms of individual and environmental factors.
l How the incorporation of biophilic design elements in a virtual reality (VR) hospital patient room affects emotional and brain responses!
l It is previously discovered that evacuees’ mental state involves two key elements: the awareness of the situation, namely the clarity; and the intensity of the stimulation.
l Recently, a number of virtual relaxation interventions (e.g., watching nature videos using virtual reality glasses) have been developed. Their effectiveness and factors influencing their success to induce physiological relaxation are unknown, however. This systematic review investigates first, whether virtual interventions can successfully induce changes in the autonomic nervous system associated with relaxation as measured by heart rate variability (HRV).
l A brief virtual nature intervention may be a feasible way of reducing negative affectivity and rumination and increase positive affect particularly in those with high Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS).
l Virtual reality (VR) technology provides immersive and interactive user experiences in office layout design.
We encourage original research pieces, narrative and systematic reviews, conceptual/theory studies, and brief communications.
Examine subjects like:
l Natural settings and psychological well-being
l Wayfinding and risk perception are examples of environmental perception and cognition.
l Identity, attachment, and environmental sensations
l Environment-related attitudes, values, priming, and social norms
l Effects of environmental factors like noise
l Policies and designs towards sustainability at the societal level
l Environmental issues like stress, anxiety, and crowding
l Creative designs' effects on human behavior
l Environments and physical health, including parks, communities, and hospitals
l Environment and behavior relationships for specific groups, like children or the elderly
l Processes and methods of studying spatial behavior
Dr. Shashi-Kant Gupta
Dr. Inam-Ullah Khan
Guest Editors