EEG responses and mental health restoration according to VR soundscape experience

This study investigates the neural correlates of restorative responses to urban and natural soundscapes, utilizing Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements. Participants were exposed to various environments through Virtual Reality (VR), and significant differences were observed in the interactions within specific regions of the Visual and Dorsal Attention Networks. In the riverside setting, the restoration group demonstrated heightened perceptual engagement and more efficient attentional control. Additionally, a significant increase in global efficiency, a measure of brain network efficiency, was observed in the restoration group during soundscape exposure. These findings contribute to our understanding of the neural processes associated with the restorative effects of soundscapes, with implications for urban health and well-being strategies.