Effects of Visual Information on Perceived Temperature and Skin Temperature in Virtual Reality
摘要
This study aimed to clarify how visual information presented in virtual reality (VR) spaces affects human perceived temperature. Three VR spaces were created for the experiment: a neutral space simulating a situation with nothing around, a cold space simulating a snowy mountain, and a high-temperature space simulating a sauna. Participants experienced each environment for 5 min and provided subjective and objective evaluations. Subjective assessments used the Perceived Temperature Questionnaire and the Immersion Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), while objective assessments involved skin temperature measurements via thermography. A five-minute break in the real world was provided before transitioning to another space. Results revealed that visual information within VR significantly influenced perceived temperature. Participants reported feeling warmer in the high-temperature space and cooler in the low-temperature space on the Perceived Temperature Questionnaire. This change was confirmed not only by subjective ratings but also by skin temperature measurements. Furthermore, the findings suggest that VR space may suppress skin temperature decreases and that immersion levels could influence these physiological responses.