Biophilia in Healthcare Design

This study explores the impact of biophilic design on patient stress levels within healthcare environments using virtual reality (VR). Despite the popularity of biophilic design, its effects on cognitive load and stress in healthcare settings remain under-researched. A between-group experiment with 60 participants was conducted where participants were exposed to three different VR healthcare environments: one without biophilic elements, one with a single biophilic element, and one with combined biophilic elements. Physiological responses, including heart rate and skin conductance were measured using the BIOPAC system, while cognitive load and stress were assessed through questionnaires and eye-tracking data.
The results indicate no significant effect of biophilic elements on cognitive load, stress levels, or physiological responses. However, a significant difference in valence was observed, with condition two differing from condition three. These findings suggest that while biophilic design may not significantly reduce stress or cognitive load in healthcare environments, it can influence emotional responses. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which biophilic elements affect patient experiences in healthcare settings Expanding the sample size and conducting studies in actual environments could further validate these findings.