Effects of immersive virtual nature on nature connectedness: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Effects of immersive virtual nature on nature connectedness: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2024 | Elena Brambilla¹, Evi Petersen²,³, Karen Stendal⁴, Vibeke Sundling⁵, Tadhg E MacIntyre⁶ and Giovanna Calogiuri¹,⁷
This systematic review and meta-analysis summarize the effects of immersive virtual nature (IVN) on nature connectedness in the general population. Six eligible studies (nine studies; n=730) were selected, comparing IVN with non-immersive virtual nature, immersive virtual built environments, non-immersive virtual built environments, and actual nature. The risk of bias was predominantly "low" or "some concerns." Meta-analyses showed statistically significant overall effects for the first and fourth groups, with IVN favoring the first group and actual nature favoring the fourth group. Subgroup analyses revealed that computer-generated scenarios had a more significant effect on nature connectedness than 360° videos. The findings suggest that IVN may be an effective tool for promoting nature connectedness, although the evidence is limited and mixed. The review highlights the importance of considering the type of IVN technology and exposure duration, as well as the potential impact of cybersickness and presence on the effectiveness of IVN. The results indicate that IVN may not fully replace actual nature experiences in terms of promoting nature connectedness. The study also notes that the number of studies available limits the validity of the outcomes of the meta-analyses. Overall, the findings suggest that IVN can be a valuable tool for promoting nature connectedness, but further research is needed to better understand its effectiveness and limitations.This systematic review and meta-analysis summarize the effects of immersive virtual nature (IVN) on nature connectedness in the general population. Six eligible studies (nine studies; n=730) were selected, comparing IVN with non-immersive virtual nature, immersive virtual built environments, non-immersive virtual built environments, and actual nature. The risk of bias was predominantly "low" or "some concerns." Meta-analyses showed statistically significant overall effects for the first and fourth groups, with IVN favoring the first group and actual nature favoring the fourth group. Subgroup analyses revealed that computer-generated scenarios had a more significant effect on nature connectedness than 360° videos. The findings suggest that IVN may be an effective tool for promoting nature connectedness, although the evidence is limited and mixed. The review highlights the importance of considering the type of IVN technology and exposure duration, as well as the potential impact of cybersickness and presence on the effectiveness of IVN. The results indicate that IVN may not fully replace actual nature experiences in terms of promoting nature connectedness. The study also notes that the number of studies available limits the validity of the outcomes of the meta-analyses. Overall, the findings suggest that IVN can be a valuable tool for promoting nature connectedness, but further research is needed to better understand its effectiveness and limitations.
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