The human-nature connection is one of the main aspects determining supportive and comfortable office environments. In this context, the application of eye-tracking-equipped Virtual Reality (VR) devices to support an evaluation on the effect of greenery elements indoors on individuals’ efficiency and engagement is limited. A new approach to investigate visual attention, distraction, cognitive load and performance in this field is carried out via a pilot-study comparing three virtual office layouts (Indoor Green, Outdoor Green and Non-Biophilic). 63 participants completed cognitive tasks and surveys while measuring gaze behaviour. Sense of presence, immersivity and cybersickness results supported the ecological validity of VR. Visual attention was positively influenced by the proximity of users to the greenery element, while visual distraction from tasks was negatively influenced by the dimension of the greenery. In the presence of greenery elements, lower cognitive loads and more efficient information searching, resulting in improved performance, were also highlighted.

Investigating the impact of greenery elements in office environments on cognitive performance, visual attention and distraction: An eye-tracking pilot-study in virtual reality / Latini, Arianna; Marcelli, Ludovica; Di Giuseppe, Elisa; D'Orazio, Marco. - In: APPLIED ERGONOMICS. - ISSN 0003-6870. - 118:(2024). [10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104286]

Investigating the impact of greenery elements in office environments on cognitive performance, visual attention and distraction: An eye-tracking pilot-study in virtual reality

Latini, Arianna;Marcelli, Ludovica;Di Giuseppe, Elisa
;
D'Orazio, Marco
2024-01-01

Abstract

The human-nature connection is one of the main aspects determining supportive and comfortable office environments. In this context, the application of eye-tracking-equipped Virtual Reality (VR) devices to support an evaluation on the effect of greenery elements indoors on individuals’ efficiency and engagement is limited. A new approach to investigate visual attention, distraction, cognitive load and performance in this field is carried out via a pilot-study comparing three virtual office layouts (Indoor Green, Outdoor Green and Non-Biophilic). 63 participants completed cognitive tasks and surveys while measuring gaze behaviour. Sense of presence, immersivity and cybersickness results supported the ecological validity of VR. Visual attention was positively influenced by the proximity of users to the greenery element, while visual distraction from tasks was negatively influenced by the dimension of the greenery. In the presence of greenery elements, lower cognitive loads and more efficient information searching, resulting in improved performance, were also highlighted.
2024
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2024_Applied Ergonomics.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza d'uso: Creative commons
Dimensione 8.9 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
8.9 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11566/328717
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 0
  • Scopus 1
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 1
social impact