Luminous vs. nocturnal canopy: a comparative qualitative study of two VR horticultural scenes for relaxation.

INTRODUCTION

Virtual reality (VR) horticultural environments are an emerging area, yet little is known about how environmental visual tonevisual tone, as one dimension of the overall environment, may be associated with influences user experience in therapeutic contexts.

METHODS

We designed two VR horticultural scenes with different visual tones, and collected field notes from participants who experienced both scenes during an 11-day public exhibition. Quantitative preference and relaxation scores were also collected.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis of field notes (N = 14) revealedgenerated four main themes: (1) emotional and sensory responses to the two scenes with Luminous Canopy associated with vitality and hope while Nocturnal Canopy associated with calmness, introspection, and tranquility; (2) plant familiarity and recognition, where familiar plants were associated with comfort while unfamiliar plants were associated with curiosity; (3) a safety-exploration tension across scenes; and (4) contextual fit and situational preference, with preference varying by mood and context. Quantitative results showed that 64.3% of participants preferred the Luminous Canopy.

DISCUSSION: Participants' responses suggest that personalized VR therapeutic environments may be beneficial for future therapeutic environment design. Participants' diverse preferences suggest that offering multiple scene options may better accommodate different user needs.