Effects of immersive virtual nature on nature connectedness: A systematic review protocol

Elena Brambilla; Evi Petersen; Karen Stendal; Vibeke Sundling; Tadhg E MacIntyre; Giovanna Calogiuri

doi:10.1177/20552076221120324

Effects of immersive virtual nature on nature connectedness: A systematic review protocol

Digit Health. 2022 Sep 2:8:20552076221120324. doi: 10.1177/20552076221120324. eCollection 2022 Jan-Dec.

Authors

Elena Brambilla¹, Evi Petersen², Karen Stendal³, Vibeke Sundling⁴, Tadhg E MacIntyre⁵, Giovanna Calogiuri^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Health and Technology, Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Drammen, Norway.
² Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor, University of South-Eastern Norway, Bø, Norway.
³ Department of Business, Marketing and Law, USN School of Business, University of South-Eastern Norway, Ringerike, Norway.
⁴ Department of Optometry, Radiography and Lighting Design, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway.
⁵ All Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland.
⁶ Section for Public Health, Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Science, Elverum, Norway.

Abstract

Objective: Nature Connectedness, an individual's cognitive, affective, and behavioral connection with the natural world, has been linked to various health and well-being outcomes. As Nature Connectedness can be elicited and strengthened through direct contact with nature, in the past decade studies have investigated whether similar effects can be achieved through technologies that simulate highly immersive and realistic experiences of nature, such as Immersive Virtual Nature. This protocol describes the methodology for a systematic review that will summarize the existing evidence on the effects of Immersive Virtual Nature on Nature Connectedness in non-clinical populations.

Methods: The review will be conducted following the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses. Terms such as "immersive virtual environment," "natural setting*," and "contact with nature" were searched in Scopus, WebOfScience, GoogleScholar, Medline, and GreenFILE (22-28 November 2021). Papers in English, describing experimental studies, with or without control/comparison, and testing the effects of Immersive Virtual Nature interventions on Nature Connectedness outcomes in non-clinical populations were included. The risk of bias will be assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 for randomized studies, and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions. The data synthesis will be performed through meta-analysis, assuming that the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Group guidelines are met.

Conclusion: The findings will be relevant for understanding the potential and challenges of Immersive Virtual Nature as a tool to promote health and well-being in the general population, providing information on the consistency and limitations of the existing literature and recommendations for future research.

Keywords: Nature connectedness; human–nature interactions; immersive technology; immersive virtual environments; natural environments; outdoor; virtual reality.