The Restorative Environment and Salutogenesis: Complementary Concepts Revisited

In this chapter, the authors consider how research on restorative environments can augment research on salutogenesis by calling attention to the dynamics of depletion and renewal of resources needed for the maintenance and promotion of health and well-being and by showing how the sociophysical environment comes into play in people’s ongoing efforts to manage diverse resources. The authors also consider how research on salutogenesis can augment research on restorative environments by encouraging a broader view of the kinds of resources that can be depleted and the different levels on which they are organised and become available. The authors thus indicate areas for more systematic, reciprocal exchange between the fields.

Effect of a Virtual Reality-Based Restorative Environment on the Emotional and Cognitive Recovery of Individuals with Mild-to-Moderate Anxiety and Depression

In this study, restorative environment theory and virtual reality (VR) technology were combined to build different 3D dynamic VR interactive scenes. We discuss the effects of a VR restorative environment on the emotional and cognitive recovery of individuals with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression. First, we built a VR restorative garden scene, divided into four areas: forest, lawn, horticultural planting, and water features. The scene was verified to have a good recovery effect in 26 participants. Then, 195 participants with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression were selected as experimental subjects. Through psychological testing and EMG (Electromyography) and EEG (Electroencephalography) data feedback, we further explored the differences in the sense of presence in VR restorative scenes and their effect on individual emotional and cognitive recovery. The results showed that (1) both the restorative environment images and the VR scenes had a healing effect (the reduction in negative emotions and the recovery of positive emotions and cognition), with no difference in the subjective feeling of recovery among the different scenes, but the recovery score of the VR urban environment was higher than that of the natural environment (differing from the results in real environments); (2) a high sense of presence can be experienced in different VR scenes, and interactive activities in VR scenes can provide a great presence experience; (3) the recovery effects of VR restorative environment on emotion and self-efficacy are realized through the presence of VR scenes; (4) a VR restorative environment is helpful for the emotional improvement and cognitive recovery of individuals with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression. VR urban scenes also have good recovery effects. In terms of cognitive recovery, self-efficacy improved significantly. In addition, from the perspective of EEG indicators, the VR restorative scene experience activated the prefrontal lobe, which is conducive to cognitive recovery in individuals with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression. In terms of emotional improvement, negative emotions were significantly reduced in the different VR scene groups. In conclusion, we further explored ways to help individuals with mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression, in order to promote the development and application of mental health.

SDF-1α/OPF/BP Composites Enhance the Migrating and Osteogenic Abilities of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

In situ cell recruitment is a promising regenerative medicine strategy with the purpose of tissue regeneration without stem cell transplantation. This chemotaxis-based strategy is aimed at ensuring a restorative environment through the release of chemokines that promote site-specific migration of healing cell populations. Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) is a critical chemokine that can regulate the migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Accordingly, here, SDF-1α-loaded microporous oligo[poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate]/bis[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] phosphate composites (SDF-1α/OPF/BP) were engineered and probed. SDF-1α/OPF/BP composites were loaded with escalating SDF-1α concentrations, namely, 0 ng/ml, 50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, and 200 ng/ml, and were cocultured with MSC. Scratching assay, Transwell assay, and three-dimensional migration model were utilized to assess the migration response of MSCs. Immunofluorescence staining of Runx2 and osteopontin (OPN), ELISA assay of osteocalcin (OCN) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Alizarin Red S staining were conducted to assess the osteogenesis of MSCs. All SDF-1α/OPF/BP composites engendered a release of SDF-1α (>80%) during the first four days. SDF-1α released from the composites significantly promoted migration and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs documented by upregulated expression of osteogenic-related proteins, ALP, Runx2, OCN, and OPN. SDF-1α at 100 ng/ml was optimal for enhanced migration and osteogenic proficiency. Thus, designed SDF-1α/OPF/BP composites were competent in promoting the homing and osteogenesis of MSCs and thus offer a promising bioactive scaffold candidate for on-demand bone tissue regeneration.

Exploring the Audio-Visual Interaction in a Dental Clinic Through the Restorative Environment

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of audio-visual interaction in an indoor acoustic environment. The research focused on the waiting area of a dental clinic. The dental clinic is visited, and binaural audio-video recording is made. After, a listening task is given to the ten participants in three scenarios. Three experiment settings were designed for each scenario. The first experimental group was the control group who had the soundscape of the real environment; the second group, which is the audio group, only had the audial stimuli with the natural sound which is added to the real environment; and the third group, which is the audio-visual group, had both visual stimuli with an image of nature and audial stimuli. A listening task questionnaire and Perceived Restorativeness Soundscape Scale (PRSS) interpretation questionnaire were given to the participants. The results showed that the participants in the third group were found to perceive the indoor soundscape more positively than the other two groups.

Psychological Restoration and the Effect of People in Nature and Urban Scenes: A Laboratory Experiment

It is well-evidenced that exposure to natural environments increases psychological restoration as compared to non-natural settings, increasing our ability to recover from stress, low mood, and mental fatigue and encouraging positive social interactions that cultivate social cohesion. However, very few studies have explored how the inclusion of people within a given environment—either urban or natural settings—affect restorative health outcomes. We present three laboratory-based studies examining, first, the effect of nature vs. urban scenes, and second, investigating nature ‘with’ vs. ‘without’ people—using static and moving imagery—on psychological restoration and social wellbeing. Our third study explores differences between urban and natural settings both with vs. without people, using video stimuli to understand potential restorative and social wellbeing effects. Outcome measures across all studies included perceived social belonging, loneliness, subjective mood, and perceived restorativeness. Studies 1 and 2 both used a within group, randomized crossover design. Study 1 (n = 45, mean age = 20.7) explored static imagery of environmental conditions without people; findings were consistent with restorative theories showing a positive effect of nature exposure on all outcome measures. Study 2 compared nature scenes with vs. without people (n = 47, mean age = 20.9) and we found no significant differences on our outcome measures between either social scenario, though both scenarios generated positive wellbeing outcomes. Study 3, conducted on Amazon Mechanical Turk, employed an independent group design with subjects randomly assigned to one of four conditions; an urban vs. nature setting, with vs. without people. We explored the effect of moving imagery on psychological restoration (n = 200, mean age = 35.7) and our findings showed no impact on belonging, loneliness, or mood between conditions, but did show that—regardless of the inclusion of people—the nature settings were more restorative than the urban. There were no differences in psychological restoration between nature conditions with vs. without people. We discuss the implications for restorative environment research exploring social-environmental interactions.

Applying Restorative Environments in the Home Office While Sheltering-in-Place

Objective The objective of this review was to spotlight specific methods for people working from home to apply restorative environment research to improve productivity and mental health during shelter-in-place. Background The COVID-19 pandemic has led to sheltering-in-place and telework. While necessary, these strategies may lead to negative consequences such as social isolation and worse performance. However, nature environments have been shown to have a variety of positive effects in several different settings, including improved attention, positive affect, and increased job satisfaction, and these may be translated to the home workspace setting. Method This provides a narrative review of the environmental psychology literature, describing articles involving nature in a task performance or stress context and how it has been applied. It then moves on to discuss how these findings could possibly be applied in the context of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Although beneficial results are mixed, the review found a variety of relatively simple and cost-effective methods that could assist workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including taking a break in nature and implementing nature in the workspace. Application The application of restorative environment research could be an efficient way of mitigating the negative psychological effects due to at-home sheltering and telework in order to combat COVID-19.

Theories and concepts: linking landscapes and health.

This book chapter provides an introduction and background information for many of these theories, concluding with practical applications, focusing on evolutionary-based theories (e.g. biophilia hypothesis, naturalistic intelligence, other evolutionary-grounded theories), restorative environment theories (stress reduction theory, attention restoration theory), identity theories, and other psychological theories and concepts. The ideas presented in this chapter arise from different ways of thinking about or explaining this phenomenon, using a particular language and worldview. A strength of the research paradigm is that it enables scientists and researchers to communicate about this engrained bodily knowledge and integrate it into ongoing theory and practice in disciplines such as medicine, public health, planning, and education that impact our day-to-day lives. Slowly but surely, Western scientific research has begun to accept other worldviews and ideas, and this diversity of thought provides greater understanding of the world around us. Much of the research presented in the next chapter builds on the foundation of the theories presented here.