Professor Bob Stone's research into utilising virtual environments for patient care featured on the BBC Radio 4 PM programme.
Research suggests that exposing individuals to natural environments, such as rural and coastal settings and smaller-scale urban areas with natural features (gardens, parks, etc.), can promote stress reduction, enhance mental recovery following tasks requiring high levels of attention, even reduce post-operative recovery times and the need for pharmaceutical pain relief.
These “restorative environments” are now recognised as powerful tools in the treatment of a range of psychological conditions and a number of initiatives are being launched to encourage engagement with the natural environment to promote both physical and psychological wellbeing.
Listen to a short clip 'In bed but on the beach' taken from the programme.
Learn more about Professor Stone's research.