Purpose: This study evaluates the relaxation effects of viewing a Chinese classical garden and a Chinese-style public park in reality and virtual reality (VR) environments by focusing on their psychological and physiological impacts. Background: The experiment examined two landscapes: the culturally rich and elaborately designed Humble Administrator's Garden and the Hefeng Pavilion. Methods: Twenty-eight participants participated in four sessions, each consisting of a 5-minute viewing session of the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Hefeng Pavilion under Conditions A (real) and B (VR). Each session was evaluated using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire, the Semantic Differences Scale, the Supplemental Questionnaire, and eye tracking technology. Results: In Condition A, POMS scores, Semantic Differential Scale ratings, the Supplemental Questionnaire results, and eye movement patterns indicated that viewing the Humble Administrator's Garden resulted in greater relaxation compared to the Hefeng Pavilion. Similar findings were observed in Condition B, reinforcing the Humble Administrator's Garden's relaxing effect. However, there was a noticeable disparity in the relaxation effects between Conditions B and A, with real settings offering more pronounced benefits. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the culturally rich Humble Administrator's Garden significantly improves mood more effectively than the Hefeng Pavilion, whether viewed in real or VR environments. This study suggests that although VR can offer an immersive experience, it may not fully capture the sensory richness and therapeutic benefits of actual garden environments. Real settings delivered more substantial relaxation effects compared to VR settings.
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