Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회지)

Korean Society of Environment and Ecology (한국환경생태학회)
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Physiological and Psychological Responses to Landscape Experiences in a Natural Forest and a VR Forest

자연숲과 VR숲의 경관 체험에 따른 생리 및 심리적 반응

  • Kim, Il-Doo (Graduate Department of forest Therapy Chungbuk National Univ.) ;
  • Shin, Won-Soep (Graduate School Chungbuk National Univ.)
  • 김일두 (충북대학교 대학원 산림치유학협동과정) ;
  • 신원섭 (충북대학교 대학원 산림학과)
  • Received : 2022.06.27
  • Accepted : 2022.09.07
  • Published : 2022.10.31
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Abstract

In this study, we investigated the psychological and physiological effects of experiences in real natural forests and virtual forests using artificially controllable VR. The experiment tested 60 adult college students in a natural forest and a graduate seminar room where external light was blocked. It evaluated the effects of the natural and the VR forest environments by comparing the psychological and physiological recovery of the subjects. Psychometric testing using the PANAS psychological index showed increased positive emotions and decreased negative emotions after experiencing forest scenery in the natural and VR forest environments. And a stress index, based on measuring cortisol in saliva, decreased significantly in the subjects in both environments. The experiment results can be used to support the creation of a psychological and physiological recovery environment with VR for those who cannot go to the natural forest due to certain restrictions such as physical distance, mobility difficulties, etc. It is expected that the results will be the basis for further research into the visual effects of forest healing and also for widening the use of VR, a technology of the fourth industry, in the field of forestry.

본 연구에서는 실제와 가상의 자연 그대로의 숲과 인위적으로 통제가 가능한 VR을 활용한 가상 숲에서의 체험이 성인의 심리적 또는 생리적으로 미치는 효과를 알아보기 위해 수행되었다. 실험은 자연 숲 환경과 외부 빛이 차단된 대학원세미나실에서 진행되었으며, 피험자는 성인 대학생 60명이 참가하였다. 실험은 심리적, 생리적 회복을 통해 자연 숲 환경과 VR 숲 환경에서의 효과를 비교 후 상태를 평가하였다. 심리적 측정 결과 피험자들은 자연 숲 환경과 VR 숲 환경에서 산림 경관을 체험 후에 PANAS를 통한 심리지수에서 긍정적 정서가 증가하고 부정적 정서가 감소되었음을 확인하였고, 타액을 이용한 스트레스 지수인 코티졸을 측정한 결과 두 그룹에서 스트레스 지수가 유의하게 감소되었음을 확인하였다. 거리상 이동의 제약 또는 거동이 불편 등 제약으로 인하여 자연 숲 환경에서 체험을 못하는 사람들에게 VR 숲 환경에서 심리적, 생리적으로 회복 환경을 만들어주는데 사용할 수 있을 것이다. 이러한 연구의 결과가 산림 치유의 시각적 효과에 대한 기반이 되길 기대하고, 산림분야에서 4차 산업의 기술인 VR의 환용이 넓어지는 기반이 되길 기대한다.

Keywords

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