Effect of acute high-intensity interval cycling while viewing a virtual natural scene on mood and eating behavior in men: A randomized pilot trial

The effect of different combinations of physical activity and natural environment videos on children's attention levels between class breaks

BACKGROUND

Physical activity intervention and watching natural environment videos have been proven to improve young children's attention levels. However, evidence comparing the improvement effects of different combinations of the two activities has rarely been reported. By comparing the differences in the improvement effects of four combinations of physical activities and watching natural environment videos on young children's attention levels, this study can enrich the evidence in this research field and also provide a reference for arranging effective intervention methods for children's attention recovery between classes.

METHOD

A total of 152 children aged 4 to 6 years were recruited and randomly divided into four intervention groups: (1) physical activity intervention first and thereafter watching a natural environment video group (activity + video group), (2) watching a natural environment video first and thereafter the physical activity intervention group (video + activity group), (3) physical activity-based group, and (4) natural environment video-based group. Physical activity involved 4 min of moderate-intensity basic physical fitness combination training. The subjects wore the Pico Neo pioneer version of the VR glasses all-in-one machine to watch a natural environment video. Thereafter, population sociological variables and daily physical activity levels were investigated. Auditory and visual sustained attention tests were performed before and after intervention in each group.

RESULT

The auditory attention post-test scores of the four groups showed an improvement trend compared with the pretest scores. In particular, the activity + video group (F = 10.828; ɳp2 = 0.226; p = 0.002) and natural environment video-based group (F = 9.452; ɳp2 = 0.203; p = 0.004) have the best improvement effect. For visual attention, only the activity + video group showed a significant improvement trend (F = 4.287; ɳp2 = 0.104; p = 0.045), while the other three groups showed a downward trend in scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the different intervention combinations, the physical activity intervention first and watching natural environment videos thereafter group has the best effect on improving children's attention during recess. Physical activity interventions at the end of recess adversely affect young children's visual attention levels at the beginning of the class. Therefore, this study recommends that children should not engage in physical activity interventions in the second half of the class break. Lastly, the current research recommends presenting the content of physical activity interventions first and further improving their attention thereafter by watching natural environment videos.

Effects of immersion in a simulated natural environment on stress reduction and emotional arousal: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Although the mental health benefits of exposure to simulated natural environments are well established by researchers from environmental psychology, landscape architecture, and public health, it is unclear whether and to what extent technological immersion affects these benefits.

Methods

Systematical literature searches were conducted in May 2022 from six databases. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool 2.0 and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool. We performed a random-effects meta-regression to investigate the heterogeneity. The immersion levels of included studies were classified by projection devices and motion capture, and then subgroup analysis was conducted.

Results

Twenty-six publications were included. Exposure to simulated nature was confirmed to be associated with increased positive affect 0.40 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.58], vigor 0.58 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.86), calmness 0.54 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.92) and decreased perceived stress -0.38 (95% CI: -0.71, -0.06), total mood disturbance -0.87 (95% CI: -1.17, -0.57), tension -0.70 (95% CI: -0.99, -0.41), fatigue -0.60 (95% CI: -0.91, -0.28), anxiety -0.72 (95% CI: -1.43, -0.02), depression -0.33 (95% CI: -0.52, -0.14), confusion -0.79 (95% CI: -1.19, -0.40), and anger -0.54 (95% CI: -0.76, -0.31). Gender, health status, study design, mean age, and single exposure duration were not significant when entered in a meta-regression. For positive affect, medium immersion was observed to produce a larger effect than low and high immersion. All included studies had a moderate to high risk of bias.

Conclusion

Audio-visual exposure to simulated nature contributes to stress relief and emotional arousal. The immersion level explains the heterogeneity of positive affect triggered by simulated nature. Focusing on the technical features will open up new possibilities for combining actual and simulated nature's mental health benefits.

Taking real steps in virtual nature: a randomized blinded trial

Studies show that green exercise (i.e., physical activity in the presence of nature) can provide the synergistic psychophysiological benefits of both physical exercise and nature exposure. The present study aimed to investigate the extent to which virtual green exercise may extend these benefits to people that are unable to engage in active visits to natural environments, as well as to promote enhanced exercise behavior. After watching a video validated to elicit sadness, participants either performed a treadmill walk while exposed to one of two virtual conditions, which were created using different techniques (360° video or 3D model), or walked on a treadmill while facing a blank wall (control). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected in relation to three overarching themes: "Experience," "Physical engagement" and "Psychophysiological recovery." Compared to control, greater enjoyment was found in the 3D model, while lower walking speed was found in the 360° video. No significant differences among conditions were found with respect to heart rate, perceived exertion, or changes in blood pressure and affect. The analysis of qualitative data provided further understanding on the participants' perceptions and experiences. These findings indicate that 3D model-based virtual green exercise can provide some additional benefits compared to indoor exercise, while 360° video-based virtual green exercise may result in lower physical engagement.

Access to Nature via Virtual Reality: A Mini-Review

Nature exposure is known to promote physical and mental health. However, actual nature exposure may be difficult to achieve for the population of people with physical disabilities or chronic conditions. Therefore, many attempts have been made to duplicate nature exposure via media devices, and virtual reality (VR) is deemed as a promising technology due to its advantage in creating a sense of immersion. Generally, current studies suggest that being exposed to virtual nature may contribute to psychological and physiological relaxation. Besides, some pieces of evidence indicate that virtual nature may improve attentional resources, cognitive performance, and pain experience. Although VR is deemed as an advanced media, insufficient evidence was found concerning the advantages of VR over traditional two-dimensional media when it comes to simulated nature exposure. On the other hand, computer-generated (CG) scenarios were found to be more beneficial than 360° videos, and mini-games may be useful in creating an interactive VR format for simulated nature exposure. Further research is needed because of the limited relevant studies.

Mental health research studies in Saudi Arabia for the years 2009-2019; a systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

An updated systematic scoping review and narrative analysis of all possible mental health studies done during the concerned immediate years clarifies its present condition and status for all professionals, and concerned researchers.

AIMS

To synthesize published mental health research studies in and for Saudi Arabia for the years 2009-2019 with the confidence to evaluate current situation, identify research gaps and limitations (if any), and assist in conceptualizing the forthcoming directions of future mental health research activities.

METHODS

Scoping systematic review and modified narrative analysis were the methods utilized to achieve the aim and objective set for this formal academic endeavor.

RESULTS

Of the 1006 published studies identified from chosen databases, a total of 241 papers were included and had passed the stringent criteria set for the scoping review process. Basic characteristics of the reviewed studies were quantitative survey type with about 101-500 size range of respondents, utilizing non-patients and adults for participants which were common and randomly chosen from selected population, and most research activities were self-funded. Four major research themes were found including a list of research limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic scoping review identified a wide range of results characterizing the different studies that qualified using pre-determined inclusion-exclusion criteria. Though of increasing publication volume in the past decade, most researches done were quantitative survey type whose themes seemed to show no drastic difference or change from the previous years of output. More variety in research themes would further improve the over-all quality of mental health publications.