Conclusions
PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS
In this randomized crossover study, we exposed 30 university students to various virtual biophilic classroom scenes using VR to gauge the influence of visual interactions with nature on their stress levels and cognitive performance. To enhance the participants’ engagement with the virtual setting, all cognitive tests were administered verbally. Despite observing small effect sizes and the influence of pseudo-randomization, there were no significant or consistent shifts in physiological stress responses and cognitive abilities. However, participants did report feeling notably less stressed and felt a deeper connection to nature when in biophilic settings, including those with turbidity. Our findings add a unique dimension to existing literature by focusing on university settings and student demographics, with suggestive evidence that the potential advantages of integrating biophilic design elements into the Metaverse and real-world university classrooms to enhance stress outcomes. To delve deeper into the effects of biophilia within the Metaverse, future studies should prioritize refining students’ perceptions of biophilic components and their immersive experiences in the digital realm.