A Pilot Study Using Psychological, Physiological, and Eye-Tracking Indicators
A recent study from Chuo University in Japan has provided measurable evidence that biophilic office environments can significantly reduce stress and support wellbeing – both mentally and physically.
The research, led by Taisei Hasebe and Yoshiki Harada, explored whether repeated exposure to a nature-inspired office space could have cumulative benefits. The experiment focused on a WELL-certified biophilic office, experienced through immersive virtual reality (VR), over five consecutive days.
What is a WELL-certified office?
WELL Certification is an international standard that focuses on how buildings can improve the health and wellbeing of the people inside them. Unlike environmental certifications (like BREEAM or LEED), WELL is specifically designed to support mental and physical health through features like:
• Access to natural light and greenery
• Good air and water quality
• Comfortable acoustics and temperature
• Spaces designed to support mental wellbeing
In this study, the office used in the virtual reality sessions had received WELL Gold Certification, meaning it met a high standard for supporting occupant health – including through the use of biophilic design.
Study Overview
Twenty-eight participants (university students aged 18–25) took part in the study. Each day, they were asked to:
1. Complete a 30-minute task designed to simulate mental stress in an office setting
2. Spend six minutes viewing a calming, plant-filled office environment using a VR headset
Researchers measured changes in mood, heart rate, physical stress levels and eye movement to assess the effects.
What Was Measured – and What It Means
Mood (PANAS scale)
Participants reported how they were feeling using a simple questionnaire known as the PANAS scale, which tracks levels of positive and negative emotions. In this study, researchers focused on negative mood (things like tension, irritation or anxiety).
Heart Rate (HR)
This shows how fast the heart is beating – a higher rate generally signals more stress or mental load.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
This measures how much the time between each heartbeat changes. It’s a useful indicator of how relaxed the body is. A higher HRV usually means the body is in a calm, rested state. In this study, a specific measure called RMSSD was used, which is particularly good at detecting signs of physical relaxation.
Eye-Tracking
Participants wore a headset that tracked exactly where they looked during the VR session. This helped researchers understand how much time was spent looking at plants compared to other parts of the room.
Key Findings
1. Negative mood decreased significantly after viewing the office each day
After each stressful task, participants felt noticeably better following the six-minute VR session:
• Day 1: Mood scores dropped by 8 points (from 20.3 to 12.3)
• Day 5: Dropped by 6.6 points (from 17.5 to 10.9)
Participants also started each day in a better mood as the week went on, showing that the benefits built over time.
2. Heart rate consistently dropped after viewing the biophilic space
This indicates a clear shift into a calmer, less stressed state:
• Average heart rate after the stress task: 1.88 (normalised units)
• After viewing the VR office: dropped to 1.85
• These changes were statistically significant (p < .001), meaning they were unlikely to be due to chance
3. Physical stress levels reduced, as shown by higher HRV (RMSSD)
• Day 2: HRV increased from 1.47 to 1.56, showing the body was moving into a more relaxed state
• Similar improvements were seen on other days too
4. Attention to plants increased across the five days
Participants spent over half their time looking at plants, and this increased steadily:
• Day 1: 55.1% of time looking at plants
• Day 5: 60.5%
This suggests not only a natural draw toward greenery, but growing engagement over time – which correlated with the stress reduction seen in both mood and heart rate.
What This Means for Workplaces
This study shows that even short, repeated exposure to natural elements in a workspace can reduce stress and improve wellbeing – both emotionally and physically. And the more regularly people are exposed to nature, the more the benefits build up.
The results also reinforce the value of good biophilic design in offices – particularly when it incorporates live planting and follows recognised standards like WELL certification.
Supporting Wellbeing with Benholm Group
At Benholm Group, we help businesses across the UK bring these benefits to life through beautifully designed and professionally maintained plant displays. Whether you’re looking to improve workplace wellbeing, make a space more inviting, or support sustainability goals, our team can help you create something that works.
Get in touch to find out how we can support your workplace with live planting solutions.
Want to read the full study? You can find it here
