Examining Environmental Influences on Pain Perception Using Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) and biophilic design are two emerging areas of research in interior design and medical settings. VR is a rapidly developing technology which has revolutionized the field of interior design. This technology allows designers to create immersive environments that simulate the scale and depth of spaces in reality. Biophilic design focuses on incorporating natural elements into interior spaces to promote a human centered approach to design. Studies have found an association between the use of biophilic design and improvement in patient outcomes within the medical setting. However, little research has been conducted on how changes in the virtual environment may impact pain perception. This study aims to explore the impact of VR and biophilic design on human pain perception. Pain perception was measured via pain-pressure threshold (PPT) using a pressure algometer in kilogram-force (kgf) and Numeric Pain Rating Scales (NPRS). The study involved a series of measurements comparing participants' pain perceptions through PPTs and NPRS scores. Measurements were taken on five separate occasions. The first set of measurements were recorded outside of VR to establish baselines, and the remaining four measurements were taken within VR. Participants viewed a series of VR rooms modeled after a hospital setting with each room exhibiting increasing levels of environmental stimulation. This study examined the relationship between environmental stimuli and pain perception. The level of environmental stimuli that each participant was exposed to was increased by presenting a higher degree of biophilic elements. Biophilic elements incorporate plants, colors, natural materials, and the manipulation of architectural surfaces to provide a naturally calming effect to spaces. Results from this study support the idea that increasing the level of environmental stimuli in a virtual environment decreases the pain perception of those viewing the environment.