Hybrid- Nature: Recovering From Work Through Nature Experiences

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Restorative Experiences; Physiological Recovery; Psychological Recovery

• Registration Number: NCT05830656
• Lead Sponsor: JAMK University Of Applied Sciences

Brief Summary

The research examines employees' recovery from work stress during visits in nearby nature and when viewing virtual nature with Virtual Reality (VR) goggles. The research provides information on the physiological and psychological recovery of employees who do remote or hybrid work. Recovery is analysed with qualitative and quantitative methods including Firstbeat Life measurements, surveys and interviews. The results can be used in workplaces to develop operating models to promote well-being in remote and hybrid work. The research generates new understanding on how employees' recovery can be supported by means of virtual nature tourism services.

Detailed Description

An intervention study with a cross-over research design will be conducted among a sample of 60 employees who do remote or hybrid work. The intervention phase lasts in total of four weeks. During the first week (control phase), the participants continue their daily routine as normal. During the second week of the intervention, a half of the participants are randomised to visit a nearby natural area after finishing work (exposure to nearby nature). The other half of the participants are randomised to view virtual nature videos with VR goggles after finishing work (exposure to virtual nature). On the third week of the intervention, the participants complete nature exposure the other way around. That is, those participants who took part first in exposure to nearby nature will view virtual nature, and vice versa. On the fourth week of the intervention, the participants take part in a semi-structured focus group interview.

Recovering from work in nearby nature and virtual nature is examined through multidisciplinary perspectives of health, well-being, and tourism. The aim of the research is to find new ways of promoting work stress recovery, psychological detachment and restoration among employees when they are making the transition between work time and personal time. These research findings are particularly relevant for fields in which there has been a growing trend for remote or hybrid work. This research is funded by the Finnish Work Environment Fund (Project Number: 220076).

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-01-17
• Study First Submitted: 2023-01-26
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-04-13
• Study First Posted: 2023-04-26
• Primary Completion: 2023-06-08
• Study Completion: 2023-06-16
• Status Verified: 2023-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-07-05
• Last Update Posted: 2023-07-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 57

Inclusion Criteria

• Employees who do remote or hybrid work
• Able to communicate adequately in Finnish in order to participate

Exclusion Criteria

• No exclusion criteria for study participation.
• Firstbeat Life analyses are only available for participants who identify themselves on the basis of biological sex of female or male.
• Firstbeat Life analyses might be unreliable for participants with some health-related issues (e.g., pacemaker, heart transplantation, complex cardiac disease, persistent atrial fibrillation or flutter, or uncontrolled thyroid disease) and therefore measurements will not be performed for them as a part of this research.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Psychological recovery	Three weeks	Recovery Experience Questionnaire (REQ), the scores range from 1 to 5, a higher score refers to better psychological recovery.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Restorative experiences	Three weeks	Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS), the scores range from 1 to 7, a higher score refers to better restoration.
Relax-Stress Intensity	Three weeks	A physiological measure of the Relax-Stress Intensity (RSI), the scores range from -100 to 100, a higher score (+/- 100) refers to a stronger reaction.
Work engagement	Three weeks	Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), the scores range from 1 to 7, a higher score refers to higher work engagement.
Body resources	Three weeks	A physiological measure of body resources, the scores range from 0 to 100, a higher score refers to higher body resources.
Burnout	Three weeks	Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), the scores range from 1 to 5, a higher score refers to higher burnout.
Stress recovery	Three weeks	A physiological measure of stress recovery balance, the scores range from 0 to 100, a higher score refers to better physiological stress recovery.
Sleep quality	Three weeks	A physiological measure of the restorative effect of sleep, the scores range from 0 to 100, a higher score refers to better recovery during sleep.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

JAMK University of Applied Sciences; 🇫🇮 Jyväskylä, Finland