Community microregeneration design for mindfulness: The effect of spatial openness（UDI）
Figshare September 30, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.34028547 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subject crossover experiment |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 92 |
| Population | Adult participants completing virtual reality sessions (92 valid participants) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Duration | Four sessions per participant |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Closed virtual natural scenes, compared with open scenes, generated a stronger sense of refuge and perceived nature connectedness and led to more positive evaluations of the mindfulness experience, including increased interoceptive awareness and greater interest and willingness to practice mindfulness. The authors argue that enclosed spatial openness in natural environments supports environmental perception and mindfulness, offering evidence for health-oriented 'microrenewal' community design. |
Abstract
Purpose—The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the spatial openness of the natural environment on individuals’ environmental and mindfulness perception by using virtual reality tools, with an aim of guiding health-oriented community environmental design.Design/methodology/approach—We employed two within-subject crossover studies that included four sessions: one involved environmental conditions alone, i.e., a closed scene vs. an open scene, and the other involved two environmental conditions with mindfulness meditation. Ninety-two valid participants completed the four sessions in random order.Findings—The results indicated that compared with the open scene, the closed scene not only generated a stronger sense of refuge and perceived nature connectedness but also led to more positive evaluations of the mindfulness experience, including increased awareness of interoception, interest and willingness to practice mindfulness.Originality—A natural environment with enclosed spatial openness plays a significant role in supporting environmental perception and mindfulness evaluation. The study provides empirical evidence for the health benefits of the microrenewal design of community environments.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |