Can simulated nature be as effective as actual nature in promoting health and wellbeing in healthcare settings?

Abstract

Simulated nature has been widely implemented to healthcare settings to create spaces that promote positive emotional responses and support overall health and wellbeing. The notion of indirect experience refers to the integration of natural elements into the design of built environments to allow occupants to experience nature indirectly. However, the question of whether simulated nature are satisfactory substitutes for actual nature has hardly been addressed. In this study, we examined whether the outcomes of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) enhanced when it was carried out in simulated nature as opposed to actual one. Two focus groups provided information about participants’ experiences of MBSR in both types of exposures. We found that both nature settings boosted MBSR outcomes. However, the actual nature resulted in greater increases in nature connectedness compared to the simulated nature. These findings demonstrate the potential value of both simulated and actual nature as settings for enhancing healthcare delivery.