Enhancing Cognitive Rehabilitation with Augmented Reality: The Role of Virtual Characters in Attention Restoration

This study investigates the efficacy of Augmented Reality (AR) in enhancing attention restoration, leveraging the conceptual framework of Attention Restoration Theory (ART) within a digitally crafted narrative space centered around a bonfire scene. Through the innovative application of AR technology, using Unity software, the research explores the addition of virtual characters to this narrative space and its impact on improving attention recovery. Employing a controlled experimental design, participants were divided into two groups to assess the restorative effect facilitated by the presence or absence of virtual characters within the AR environment. The Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) was utilized to quantify attention restoration levels, offering empirical evidence to test the hypothesis that virtual characters significantly enhance the restorative experience. The findings contribute to the interdisciplinary fields of cognitive rehabilitation and digital therapeutics, underscoring the potential of AR as a powerful tool in creating immersive, therapeutic environments that support mental well-being. This research not only expands our understanding of AR’s application in psychological restoration but also delineates a novel approach to integrating digital narrative spaces with therapeutic objectives, paving the way for future innovations in mental health interventions.