Kyle Pietro

Mr. Kyle Pietro

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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30 August 2023 in Sustainability
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ASAudrey Seiz
Audrey Seiz
BKByoung-Suk Kweon
Byoung-Suk Kweon
Christopher EllisChristopher Ellis
Christopher Ellis
HOHyuk Oh
Hyuk Oh
KPKyle Pietro
Kyle Pietro
Researchers have long explored how humans respond psychologically and physiologically to distinct landscapes and natural features. Walking in nature and viewing photographs of natural landscapes have been shown to reduce stress measured through the physiological responses of blood pressure, salivary cortisol concentration, and pulse rate. Exposure to natural landscapes has also been shown to improve feelings of relaxation and positive emotion. Little research, however, has focused on the potential impact of visualization through virtual reality (VR). This study explores how brain frequencies and psychological measures test the restorativeness of a virtual place. Utilizing VR, twenty-one participants observed a virtual, vegetated, vacant site as it exists currently and then again as a reimagined greenspace. The psychological responses were analyzed using the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), and the psychophysiological responses were analyzed using electroencephalography (EEG) with a specific focus on alpha and beta brain frequencies in the frontal and parietal lobes. Findings indicated that the perceived restorativeness of the designed site increased for two of the three determined factors. Alpha brain frequencies were not significantly different when viewing the vacant versus the designed site; however, beta brain frequencies demonstrated a marginally significant effect of sex with male beta power spectral density decreasing when viewing the designed site and female beta brain frequencies increasing. This research suggests that redesigning a vegetated urban vacant site can positively impact perceived restorativeness and unveils a potential gender effect present in beta brain frequencies.

1 June 2024
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
KPKyle Pietro
Kyle Pietro
HOHyuk Oh
Hyuk Oh
JBJustin A. Blanco
Justin A. Blanco
JMJessica M. Mohler
Jessica M. Mohler
WBWalter R. Bixby
Walter R. Bixby
BHBradley D. Hatfield
Bradley D. Hatfield

1 July 2020 in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
KPKyle Pietro
Kyle Pietro
MCMichelle E. Costanzo
Michelle E. Costanzo
RGRonald N. Goodman
Ronald N. Goodman
LLLi-Chuan Lo
Li-Chuan Lo
HOHyuk Oh
Hyuk Oh
BHBradley D. Hatfield
Bradley D. Hatfield