Design of Game-Based Virtual Forests for Psychological Stress Therapy

Author:

Mohamad Yahaya Nur Ain1ORCID,Awang Rambli Dayang Rohaya1,Sulaiman Suziah1ORCID,Merienne Frederic2,Alyan Emad13

Affiliation:

1. Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Malaysia

2. Arts et Metiers Institute of Technology, LISPEN, HESAM Université, UBFC, F-71100 Chalon-sur-Saône, France

3. Department Ergonomics, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, 44139 Dortmund, Germany

Abstract

Numerous studies have reported the beneficial effects of natural environments on human health and wellbeing. Virtual games may offer a practical approach to experience the illusion of being in a natural setting for those with limited access to nature. This study presents an evaluation of a nature-based virtual environment application to modulate the participant’s affective and psychological state. We developed a game-based virtual therapy using the Unity 3D game engine by implementing forest therapy activities and designing the forest environment like a real-life forest. Eight healthy adults participated in this study and were observed remotely. The participants’ mood states before and after the game were evaluated using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). In addition, the satisfaction and usability of the game-based virtual forest were assessed using the Game-User Experience Satisfaction Scale and System Usability Scale, respectively. The results revealed that participants experienced significantly improved moods (p < 0.05) and decreased stress levels (p < 0.05) after playing the game. Moreover, the results indicated multiple positive correlations between the game experience and immersion subscales, revealing that audio and visual aesthetics offered an environment for users to feel more immersed. The study suggests using virtual forest games to promote positive mood and mental health.

Funder

Yayasan Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Forestry

Cited by 7 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

1. Virtual Reality Videos for Symptom Management in Hospice and Palliative Care;Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health;2024-09

2. Teacher Education: Design Thinking Approach in Makerspaces to Produce Quality Educational Video Games with a Visual Identity and Improve Design Thinking Skills;Education Sciences;2024-07-02

3. Enter the Virtual Forest;Handbook of Research on Advances in Digital Technologies to Promote Rehabilitation and Community Participation;2023-12-07

4. Investigating the Efficacy of Virtual Reality Forest Meditation as an Intervention for Test Anxiety among College Students;Proceedings of the 2023 4th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence for Medicine Science;2023-10-20

5. Cognition and Interaction: From the Perspective of Daily Therapeutic Landscape of the Coastal Zone;Behavioral Sciences;2023-09-25

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3