Outernet

The Challenge

‘Room to Breathe,’ designed by Pixel Artworks for the Outernet London’s Now Building,
combines music, soothing visuals, and rhythmic breathing exercises to promote relaxation and
stress reduction. The challenge was to scientifically validate the effectiveness of this immersive
experience in influencing the autonomic nervous system and brain activity. Specifically, Pixel
Artworks asked us to assess how the audiovisual intervention could reduce stress and improve
emotional and physical well-being through measurable physiological and psychological
changes.

The Study

Conducted in our Lisbon-based Research Lab, the study involved 25-30 participants. The study
was set up as a single-site, one-group, observational design using an AB methodology.
Participants underwent a 10-minute baseline period (A), followed by a 10-minute session of
‘Room to Breathe’ (B), which featured audiovisual and breathing exercises. The study aimed to
measure various biomarkers, including EEG frontal brainwave activity, heart rate variability
(HRV), respiratory rate, and self-reported stress levels, to assess the impact of the experience
on the autonomic nervous system and brain function.

The Outcome

The results confirmed that ‘Room to Breathe’ had a significant positive impact on both mental
and physical states:

1. Mental Relaxation: 84.6% of participants reported feeling more relaxed and less
   stressed after the experience, highlighting its effectiveness in stress reduction.
2. Visual Engagement: 70% of participants showed visual engagement during the
   experience, suggesting that the immersive visuals played a crucial role in enhancing the
   therapeutic effect on the brain.
3. Physiological Relaxation: On a physiological level, 52% of participants experienced
   improved vagal nerve tone, indicating a down regulation of the peripheral nervous system
   and greater physical relaxation.

These results demonstrate that the ‘Room to Breathe’ experience successfully utilized
audiovisual interventions to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve both brain activity
and physiological responses, showcasing the potential of immersive experiences in wellness
settings.