Exploring the psychophysiological benefits of a virtual nature walk – A pilot randomized controlled trial

Urbanization and increased screen time among young adults have contributed to reduced time spent in nature, limiting access to its associated health benefits. Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising solution by simulating nature exposure in controlled environments and may serve as a short-term alternative for individuals with limited access to natural environments. This pilot randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a 10-min walk in a computer-generated urban VR environment featuring either high or low levels of greenness on physiological stress markers, measured through skin conductance levels and blood pressure, and psychological well-being, assessed via self-reported surveys. Of the 134 participants recruited, 131 provided complete survey data, and 121 had complete skin conductance data. No significant between-group differences in physiological or psychological outcomes were found after adjusting for VR presence. However, higher levels of perceived presence were significantly associated with greater subjective vitality and lower post-VR energy levels. Skin conductance levels significantly changed over time within groups but did not differ significantly between groups. Both groups experienced increased fatigue and decreased vitality following VR exposure, though the high-greenness group demonstrated comparatively smaller declines in vitality and slight physiological improvements. These findings suggest that higher levels of virtual greenness may provide modest psychological and physiological benefits by buffering against urban stressors. However, increased fatigue highlights a potential trade-off of immersive VR. Future VR interventions should aim to optimize the balance between immersion and sensory input to maximize health benefits while minimizing discomfort.