This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: As humanity gets closer to the possibility of long-term interplanetary travel, psychologists have started raising concerns about astronauts' mental health. Researchers at Texas A&M University conducted research on sailors in an isolated environment to address these concerns using virtual reality technology and by introducing other senses to the experience, such as smell and touch.
The study, led by Diaz Artiles and published in Frontiers in Psychology, focused on subjects aboard a U.S. Navy ship who were confined to the vessel for two weeks. The subjects were given HTC Vive Pro Eye headsets with built-in real-world scenarios, such as a walk on the beach or a stroll through the park.
The simulations were programmed to match a device called a compact scent generator that was preloaded with specific scents released at corresponding times. "We all recognize certain distinctive smells, like the smell in the air just before it rains," said Diaz Artiles, an associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. "We wanted to explore what it would be like to put on a headset, see a forest, and at the same time smell the earth and vegetation around you, creating a much more realistic and immersive experience." The combined setup took four years to develop before the team was able to deploy the technology in an operationally relevant environment.
According to Diaz Artiles, the ship was selected because it's the closest representation of the environment in a confined and isolated spaceship for a long period of time. The distance necessary to travel to Mars or other planets prohibits NASA from employing current methods to improve astronauts' mental health, such as facilitating real-time conferencing with loved ones and delivering care packages. "Nature has a lot of psychological and physiological benefits; it also has cognitive benefits," said Renee Abbott, an aerospace Ph.D. student.
"What we're trying to do is bring nature to astronauts in virtual reality." Results from the study showed that subjects with access to the VR headset and compact scent generator demonstrated a decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions immediately after use. Diaz Artiles emphasized that the real-world applications of this research could go beyond astronauts. It could also help other U.S.
Navy sailors who spend long periods of time in submarines and warships with limited access to the outside world. She also said it could help long-term patients in hospitals who cannot leave for health or safety reasons. "It's remarkable how immersive VR can feel, even if you know the experience is not real," said Diaz Artiles.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
