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Dr. Harumi Ikei
Center for Environment,Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture 277-0882, Japan

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Journal article
Published: 15 July 2021 in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
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This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of forest-derived visual, auditory, and combined stimulation on brain activity, autonomic nervous system activity, and subjective spatial impressions. The participants included 20 Japanese female university students (age 22.1 ± 1.8 years). Each participant viewed a gray image for 60 s with no sound (rest period), followed by an image of a forest scene with no sound (visual stimulation), a gray image with forest sounds (auditory stimulation), an image of a forest scene with forest sounds (combined stimulation), and a gray image with no sound (control) for 90 s. As indicators, near-infrared spectroscopy, heart rate variability measurement, heart rate monitoring, and modified semantic differential method were used. Compared to the control condition, combined stimulation significantly decreased oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations in both prefrontal cortices and increased parasympathetic nervous activity, reflecting a relaxed state; visual and auditory stimulation significantly decreased the oxy-Hb concentration in the right prefrontal cortex; and “comfortable,” “relaxed,” “natural,” and “realistic” feelings increased significantly for all stimulations. In conclusion, forest-derived visual, auditory, and combined stimuli induced physiologically and psychologically relaxing effects, and physiological relaxation was more pronounced under combined stimulus.

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Effects of forest-derived visual, auditory, and combined stimuli. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2021, 64, 127253 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Effects of forest-derived visual, auditory, and combined stimuli. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2021; 64 ():127253.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2021. "Effects of forest-derived visual, auditory, and combined stimuli." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 64, no. : 127253.

Journal article
Published: 20 May 2021 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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It has been recently suggested that contact with nature improves mood via reducing the activity of the prefrontal cortex. However, the specific regions within the prefrontal cortex that underlie this effect remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the specific regions involved in the mood-improving effect of viewing images of nature using a 52-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Specifically, we focused on the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), two regions associated with affective processing and control. In a randomized controlled crossover experiment, we assigned thirty young adults to view images of nature and built environments for three minutes each in a counterbalanced order. During image viewing, participants wore a fNIRS probe cap and had their oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) measured. Immediately following each image viewing, participants indicated their mood in terms of comfortableness, relaxation, and vigor. Results showed that viewing images of nature significantly increased comfortableness and relaxation but not vigor compared to viewing images of built environments, with a large effect size. Meanwhile, the concentration of oxy-Hb in only the right OFC and none of the other regions significantly decreased while viewing the images of nature compared to built environments, with a medium effect size. We speculate that viewing images of nature improves mood by reducing the activity of or calming the OFC. Since the OFC is hyperactive in patients with depression and anxiety at rest, contact with nature might have therapeutic effects for them.

ACS Style

Rikuto Yamashita; Chong Chen; Toshio Matsubara; Kosuke Hagiwara; Masato Inamura; Kohei Aga; Masako Hirotsu; Tomoe Seki; Akiyo Takao; Erika Nakagawa; Ayumi Kobayashi; Yuko Fujii; Keiko Hirata; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki; Shin Nakagawa. The Mood-Improving Effect of Viewing Images of Nature and Its Neural Substrate. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 5500 .

AMA Style

Rikuto Yamashita, Chong Chen, Toshio Matsubara, Kosuke Hagiwara, Masato Inamura, Kohei Aga, Masako Hirotsu, Tomoe Seki, Akiyo Takao, Erika Nakagawa, Ayumi Kobayashi, Yuko Fujii, Keiko Hirata, Harumi Ikei, Yoshifumi Miyazaki, Shin Nakagawa. The Mood-Improving Effect of Viewing Images of Nature and Its Neural Substrate. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (10):5500.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rikuto Yamashita; Chong Chen; Toshio Matsubara; Kosuke Hagiwara; Masato Inamura; Kohei Aga; Masako Hirotsu; Tomoe Seki; Akiyo Takao; Erika Nakagawa; Ayumi Kobayashi; Yuko Fujii; Keiko Hirata; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki; Shin Nakagawa. 2021. "The Mood-Improving Effect of Viewing Images of Nature and Its Neural Substrate." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 10: 5500.

Journal article
Published: 26 November 2020 in Sustainability
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Wood is a sustainable and natural material used in interior design for living environment. Knots are prominent features on wood surfaces, and they affect a user’s building preference and impression. Data on the effects of wood knots on human physiological responses are limited. Hence, further studies should be conducted. This study examined the effects of interior wall images comprising knotty or clear wood on physiological responses. Computer graphics were used to prepare wall images of knotty or clear lumber. A gray image was set as the control. In total, 28 adult Japanese female university students were included in this study. They observed two types of wood interior wall images for 90 s. The control was also set for 90 s. The oxyhemoglobin level in the prefrontal cortex measured by near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy (TRS) and the activities of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves assessed using the heart rate variability (HRV) were utilized as physiological indexes. TRS sensors, which emit and receive near-infrared light, were attached to frontal pole (Fp) 1 and Fp2, based on the international 10–20 method. R-R interval was measured using HRV sensors attached based on the three-point guidance method, and frequency data were analyzed to assess high frequency (HF), which reflects parasympathetic nervous system activity, and the ratio of high and low frequencies (LF/HF), which reflects sympathetic nervous system activity. The knotty wood sedated the right prefrontal cortex activity compared with the control and enhanced parasympathetic nerve activity compared with before stimulation. Clear wood sedated the left prefrontal cortex activity compared with the control and suppressed sympathetic nerve activity compared with before stimulation. Subjective evaluations revealed that compared with gray wall images, both knotty and clear wood images significantly promoted comfort, relaxation, and natural feeling and improved overall mood states. In addition, clear wood image had a more positive subjective effect than knotty image. Wall images comprising knotty or clear wood, when used as a visual stimulus, have a physiological relaxation effect among adult women in their 20s.

ACS Style

Harumi Ikei; Masashi Nakamura; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation Using Knotty and Clear Wood Images among Young Women. Sustainability 2020, 12, 9898 .

AMA Style

Harumi Ikei, Masashi Nakamura, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation Using Knotty and Clear Wood Images among Young Women. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (23):9898.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Harumi Ikei; Masashi Nakamura; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2020. "Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation Using Knotty and Clear Wood Images among Young Women." Sustainability 12, no. 23: 9898.

Short communication
Published: 10 September 2020 in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
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Studies on the psychological effects of nature have been increasing, but few studies have focused on individual differences in these effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the individual differences in the psychological effects of forest sounds based on Type A and Type B behavior patterns. The Kwansei Gakuin (KG) daily life questionnaire was used as an indicator for Type A and Type B behavior patterns. This study included 29 female university students (mean age, 22.3 ± 2.1 years) who were exposed to high-resolution forest and city sounds for 60 s, and they provided subjective evaluations on a modified Semantic Differential method and the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. After exposure to the forest sounds, the Type A group (n = 12) reported higher levels of feeling comfortable, relaxed, and natural, as well as lower levels of anger–hostility, than the Type B group (n = 17). The findings demonstrated that the Type A and Type B groups experienced different psychological effects from forest-derived auditory stimulation.

ACS Style

Hyunju Jo; Harumi Ikei; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Individual differences in the psychological effects of forest sounds based on Type A and Type B behavior patterns. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2020, 55, 126855 .

AMA Style

Hyunju Jo, Harumi Ikei, Chorong Song, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Individual differences in the psychological effects of forest sounds based on Type A and Type B behavior patterns. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2020; 55 ():126855.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hyunju Jo; Harumi Ikei; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2020. "Individual differences in the psychological effects of forest sounds based on Type A and Type B behavior patterns." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 55, no. : 126855.

Journal article
Published: 14 August 2020 in Sustainability
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Benefits related to health promotion by getting closer to forests have received increasing attention in modern stressful society; however, evidence-based research about how our brain activity changes when we stay in a forest environment is limited. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of viewing real forest landscapes on the activity in the prefrontal cortex area of young women’s brains. The experiment included 29 women (age: 21.0 ± 1.4 years) and was executed in five forest and five urban areas. The participants stayed in the forest and urban areas and viewed each view for 15 min. While viewing scenery, they had the oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations in the left and right areas of their prefrontal cortexes measured continuously. Viewing real forest landscapes was associated with a significantly lower oxy-Hb concentration in the right area of the prefrontal cortex than when seeing urban areas. In conclusion, viewing real forest landscapes substantially diminished oxy-Hb concentrations in the right area of the prefrontal cortex, which is linked to physiological relaxation.

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Effect of Viewing Real Forest Landscapes on Brain Activity. Sustainability 2020, 12, 6601 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Takahide Kagawa, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Effect of Viewing Real Forest Landscapes on Brain Activity. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (16):6601.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2020. "Effect of Viewing Real Forest Landscapes on Brain Activity." Sustainability 12, no. 16: 6601.

Journal article
Published: 29 July 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The aim of this study was to validate the psychological advantages of viewing forest landscapes. Moreover, the associations between trait anxiety levels and psychological responses were evaluated. A total of 650 university male students (age, 21.7 ± 1.6 years) viewed a scenery in a forested area and an urban area for 15 min. Furthermore, the Profile of Mood States questionnaire and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were employed for the assessment of the psychological responses and the level of trait anxiety, respectively, of the participants. Results showed that compared with viewing a city area, viewing forest areas increased positive mood state, such as vigor, and decreased negative mood states. Furthermore, trait anxiety level and changes in the psychological responses such as depression–dejection, fatigue, and confusion after viewing forest landscapes were significantly correlated. The participants with high anxiety levels had greater reduction in negative mood state, including confusion, than those with low anxiety levels. In conclusion, viewing forest landscapes induced psychological relaxation, which was more evident in individuals with high anxiety levels.

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Bum-Jin Park; Juyoung Lee; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Association between the Psychological Effects of Viewing Forest Landscapes and Trait Anxiety Level. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 5479 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Bum-Jin Park, Juyoung Lee, Takahide Kagawa, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Association between the Psychological Effects of Viewing Forest Landscapes and Trait Anxiety Level. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (15):5479.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Bum-Jin Park; Juyoung Lee; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2020. "Association between the Psychological Effects of Viewing Forest Landscapes and Trait Anxiety Level." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 15: 5479.

Opinion
Published: 21 June 2020 in Sustainability
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Population growth and increased stress caused by urbanization have led to social problems that are predicted to intensify in the future. In these conditions, the recently established ”nature therapy” has revealed that an environment rich in various plant life significantly contributes to the relief of physical and mental stress. Meanwhile, from the perspective of reduction in the energy required for transportation and the retention of plant freshness, urban horticulture, in which plant life exists harmoniously with the city, has attracted considerable attention. Interactions between humans and plants in urban horticulture are considered to contribute to the good health and wellbeing of people. Therefore, we incorporate human-centered thinking based on nature therapy into horticultural produce-centered thinking based on conventional urban horticulture. By introducing a pioneering urban horticulture plant factory as an example, we propose the possibility of sustainable urban horticulture based on nature therapy.

ACS Style

Na Lu; Chorong Song; Takanori Kuronuma; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki; Michiko Takagaki. The Possibility of Sustainable Urban Horticulture Based on Nature Therapy. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5058 .

AMA Style

Na Lu, Chorong Song, Takanori Kuronuma, Harumi Ikei, Yoshifumi Miyazaki, Michiko Takagaki. The Possibility of Sustainable Urban Horticulture Based on Nature Therapy. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (12):5058.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Na Lu; Chorong Song; Takanori Kuronuma; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki; Michiko Takagaki. 2020. "The Possibility of Sustainable Urban Horticulture Based on Nature Therapy." Sustainability 12, no. 12: 5058.

Journal article
Published: 22 April 2020 in Journal of Wood Science
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In Japanese households, it is customary to walk barefoot on wood floors. This study sought to clarify the physiological effects produced via tactile application of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) to the sole of the feet, using the brain and autonomic nervous activities as indicators. Twenty-seven female university students (mean age, 21.9 ± 1.9 years) participated in this study. Oxy-hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations in the prefrontal cortex were determined using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. High frequency (HF), denoted parasympathetic nervous activity, and low frequency (LF)/HF indicated sympathetic nervous activity; both were measured using heart rate variability. The wooden material was unpainted sugi wood with two different finishes uzukuri brushing or sanding. A similarly sized marble plate served as a control. The sole of the feet of each participant touched each material for 90 s. The results found that the uzukuri wood significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentration in the left prefrontal cortex compared with touching the marble. Furthermore, compared to before contact, the uzukuri wood showed significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentrations in the right prefrontal cortex, increased ln(HF), and decreased the ln(LF/HF) ratio. Moreover, the contact with sanded wood significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentrations in the right prefrontal cortex compared with before contact. Thus, it is concluded that tactile application of sugi to the sole of the feet induced physiological relaxation.

ACS Style

Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Positive physiological effects of touching sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) with the sole of the feet. Journal of Wood Science 2020, 66, 1 -12.

AMA Style

Harumi Ikei, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Positive physiological effects of touching sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) with the sole of the feet. Journal of Wood Science. 2020; 66 (1):1-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2020. "Positive physiological effects of touching sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) with the sole of the feet." Journal of Wood Science 66, no. 1: 1-12.

Correction
Published: 18 February 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The authors wish to add the following corrections to their paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [1] [...].

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Bum-Jin Park; Juyoung Lee; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Correction: Song, C.; Ikei, H.; Park, B.J.; Lee, J.; Kagawa, T.; Miyazaki, Y. Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 2804. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 1316 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Bum-Jin Park, Juyoung Lee, Takahide Kagawa, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Correction: Song, C.; Ikei, H.; Park, B.J.; Lee, J.; Kagawa, T.; Miyazaki, Y. Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 2804. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (4):1316.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Bum-Jin Park; Juyoung Lee; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2020. "Correction: Song, C.; Ikei, H.; Park, B.J.; Lee, J.; Kagawa, T.; Miyazaki, Y. Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 2804." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 4: 1316.

Rapid communication
Published: 26 September 2019 in Journal of Wood Science
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Wood is used as an interior material in Japan, and it is empirically known that contact with wood induces relaxation in humans. However, evidential data regarding these physiological effects are lacking. In this study, we examined the physiological effects of tactile stimulation based on measurements of brain and autonomic nervous activities by using the wood of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica). Twenty-one female university students (mean age, 22.0 ± 2.0 years) participated in the study. Oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations in the prefrontal cortex were determined using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. High frequency (HF), denoting parasympathetic nervous activity, and the ratio of low frequency (LF)/(LF + HF), indicating sympathetic nervous activity, were measured using heart rate variability. HF (0.15–0.40 Hz) and LF (0.04–0.15 Hz) components were calculated by the maximum entropy method. The wood material surfaces were finished by: (1) brushing with a stainless steel wire brush and (2) sanding with a belt sander. A marble plate served as a comparator. The palm of each participant’s right hand touched each material for 90 s. Touching brushed or sanded sugi significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentrations in the left and right prefrontal cortices, increased ln(HF), and decreased the ln(LF/(LF + HF)) ratio compared with touching marble. Thus, our findings indicate that compared with touching marble, touching sugi with the palm induces physiological relaxation, as indicated by calmer prefrontal cortex activity, higher parasympathetic nervous activity, and lower sympathetic nervous activity.

ACS Style

Harumi Ikei; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological effects of touching sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) with the palm of the hand. Journal of Wood Science 2019, 65, 1 -7.

AMA Style

Harumi Ikei, Chorong Song, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological effects of touching sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) with the palm of the hand. Journal of Wood Science. 2019; 65 (1):1-7.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Harumi Ikei; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2019. "Physiological effects of touching sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) with the palm of the hand." Journal of Wood Science 65, no. 1: 1-7.

Journal article
Published: 19 August 2019 in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
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The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological effects on brain activity and autonomic nervous activity of forest-related visual, olfactory, and combined visual and olfactory stimuli. Twenty-one female Japanese university students (age, 21.1 ± 1.0 years) participated. In a soundproofed chamber with an artificial climate, each participant was presented for 90 s with the following conditions: an image of a forest landscape of Hinoki cypress trees with no odor (visual stimulus), a gray image with Hinoki cypress leaf essential oil (olfactory stimulus), an image of a forest landscape of Hinoki cypress trees with Hinoki cypress leaf essential oil (combined stimulus), and a gray image with no odor (control). As an indicator of brain activity, oxyhemoglobin concentrations were measured in the left and right prefrontal cortices using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. Heart rate variability and heart rate were used as indicators of autonomic nervous activity. The high-frequency component of heart rate variability, which reflects parasympathetic nervous activity, and the low-frequency/high-frequency ratio, which reflects sympathetic nervous activity, were evaluated. The following results were obtained in comparison with the control conditions: (1) the combined stimuli resulted in significantly decreased oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the left and right prefrontal cortices; (2) the olfactory stimulus resulted in significantly decreased oxyhemoglobin concentration in the right prefrontal cortex; and (3) the visual stimulus resulted in significantly decreased sympathetic nervous activity related to arousal or situations of stress. Results of a questionnaire indicated that these forest-related stimuli significantly increased the participants’ feelings of “comfortable” and “relaxed,” with the visual and combined stimuli significantly increasing feelings related to the terms “natural” and “realistic.” In conclusion, forest-related visual, olfactory, and combined visual and olfactory stimuli induced physiological and psychological relaxation effects, and the combined visual and olfactory stimuli exhibited an additive effect.

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological effects of forest-related visual, olfactory, and combined stimuli on humans: An additive combined effect. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2019, 44, 126437 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological effects of forest-related visual, olfactory, and combined stimuli on humans: An additive combined effect. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2019; 44 ():126437.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2019. "Physiological effects of forest-related visual, olfactory, and combined stimuli on humans: An additive combined effect." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 44, no. : 126437.

Journal article
Published: 27 July 2019 in Forests
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Research Highlights: This study demonstrated that viewing forest landscapes induced physical and mental health benefits on young women. Background and Objectives: The health-promoting effects of spending time in forests have received increasing attention; however, there is a lack of evidence-based research investigating the effects of spending time in forests on women. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and psychological effects of viewing forest landscapes on young women. Materials and Methods: The experiments were conducted in six forests and six city areas and included 65 women (mean age, 21.0 ± 1.3 years). Participants viewed a forest and a city area for 15 min, during which their heart rate variability and heart rate were measured continuously. Blood pressure and pulse rate were measured before and after the viewing. After the viewing, participants’ psychological responses were assessed using the modified semantic differential method, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: Compared with viewing city areas, viewing forest landscapes was associated with significantly higher parasympathetic nervous activity and lower sympathetic nervous activity and heart rate. Moreover, scores of the comfortable, relaxed, and natural parameters and vigor subscales of POMS were significantly higher with forest viewing. The scores of negative feelings, such as tension–anxiety, depression–dejection, anger–hostility, fatigue, and confusion, were significantly lower, as were scores for the total mood disturbance observed using POMS and the anxiety dimension observed using STAI. Conclusions: Viewing forest landscapes resulted in physiological and psychological relaxations in young women.

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological and Psychological Effects of Viewing Forests on Young Women. Forests 2019, 10, 635 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Takahide Kagawa, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological and Psychological Effects of Viewing Forests on Young Women. Forests. 2019; 10 (8):635.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2019. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Viewing Forests on Young Women." Forests 10, no. 8: 635.

Journal article
Published: 24 July 2019 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Exposure to natural sounds is known to induce feelings of relaxation; however, only few studies have provided scientific evidence on its physiological effects. This study examined prefrontal cortex and autonomic nervous activities in response to forest sound. A total of 29 female university students (mean age 22.3 ± 2.1 years) were exposed to high-resolution sounds of a forest or city for 60 s, using headphones. Oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations in the prefrontal cortex were determined by near-infrared spectroscopy. Heart rate, the high-frequency component of heart rate variability (which reflects parasympathetic nervous activity), and the ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency (LF/HF) components (which reflects sympathetic nervous activity) were measured. Subjective evaluation was performed using the modified semantic differential method and profiles of mood states. Exposure to the forest sound resulted in the following significant differences compared with exposure to city sound: decreased oxy-Hb concentrations in the right prefrontal cortex; decreased ln(LF/HF); decreased heart rate; improved feelings described as “comfortable,’’ “relaxed,” and “natural”; and improved mood states. The findings of this study demonstrated that forest-derived auditory stimulation induced physiological and psychological relaxation effects.

ACS Style

Hyunju Jo; Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Seiya Enomoto; Hiromitsu Kobayashi; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest and Urban Sounds Using High-Resolution Sound Sources. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 2649 .

AMA Style

Hyunju Jo, Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Seiya Enomoto, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest and Urban Sounds Using High-Resolution Sound Sources. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (15):2649.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hyunju Jo; Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Seiya Enomoto; Hiromitsu Kobayashi; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2019. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest and Urban Sounds Using High-Resolution Sound Sources." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 15: 2649.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 15 January 2019 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The effects of forest activities on health promotion have received increasing attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and psychological effects of brief walks in forests on young women. The experiments were conducted in 6 forests (test) and 6 city areas (control). Overall, 12 participants in each area (60 participants in total, mean age: 21.0 ± 1.3 years) were instructed to walk in a forest and a city area for approximately 15 min; simultaneously, their heart rate variability, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse rate were measured to quantify their physiological responses to walking. The modified semantic differential method, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to determine their psychological responses. Walking in a forest was associated with significantly higher parasympathetic nervous activity and lower sympathetic nervous activity and heart rate. In addition, scores for the comfortable, relaxed, and natural parameters and vigor subscale of POMS were significantly higher, whereas scores for negative feelings, such as tension–anxiety, depression–dejection, anger–hostility, fatigue, and confusion, were significantly lower, as were the total mood disturbance of POMS and the anxiety dimension of the STAI. The subjective evaluations were generally in accordance with the physiological responses. A brief walk in a forest resulted in physiological and psychological relaxation effects in young women.

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Effects of Walking in a Forest on Young Women. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 229 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Takahide Kagawa, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Effects of Walking in a Forest on Young Women. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (2):229.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2019. "Effects of Walking in a Forest on Young Women." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 2: 229.

Journal article
Published: 10 December 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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This study aimed to clarify the psychological benefits of brief walks through forest areas. In addition, we aimed to examine the associations between psychological responses and trait anxiety levels. Five-hundred-and-eighty-five participants (mean age, 21.7 ± 1.6 years) were instructed to walk predetermined courses through forest (test) and city (control) areas for 15 min. The Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to assess participants’ psychological responses and trait anxiety levels, respectively. The results revealed that walking through forest areas decreased the negative moods of “depression-dejection”, “tension-anxiety”, “anger-hostility”, “fatigue”, and “confusion” and improved the participants’ positive mood of “vigor” compared with walking through city areas. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between participants’ trait anxiety levels and their changes in the subscale of “depression-dejection” of POMS after walking through forest areas. A more effective reduction in the feeling of “depression-dejection” after walking through forest areas was observed for participants with high trait anxiety levels than for those with normal and low trait anxiety levels. This study showed the psychological benefits of walking through forest areas and identified a significant correlation between psychological responses to walking through forests and trait anxiety levels.

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Bum-Jin Park; Juyoung Lee; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 2804 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Bum-Jin Park, Juyoung Lee, Takahide Kagawa, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (12):2804.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Bum-Jin Park; Juyoung Lee; Takahide Kagawa; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2018. "Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 12: 2804.

Journal article
Published: 25 November 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The benefits of various nature-derived stimuli that can be used for stress relief and relaxation has recently gained immense attention; however, there are very few studies about their influence on elderly patients. The present study aims to present the effects of viewing bonsai on autonomic nervous activity, prefrontal cortex activity, and subjective assessment findings of psychological relaxation in elderly patients undergoing rehabilitation. Fourteen participants aged 64–91 years (mean age ± standard deviation, 78.6 ± 9.6 years) participated in this study. Miniature potted 10-year-old Japanese cypress bonsai trees were used as visual stimuli. Participants viewed the bonsai for 1 min, and the control comprised of no experimental stimulus. Physiological effects on autonomic nervous activity were assessed by measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse rate. The effects on prefrontal cortex activity were determined using near-infrared spectroscopy, which involved assessment of oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the left and right prefrontal cortices. Subjective evaluations were achieved by the modified semantic differential method. Viewing bonsai resulted in a significant increase in parasympathetic nervous activity, a significant decrease in sympathetic nervous activity, and a significant increase in the perceptions of feeling “comfortable” and “relaxed.” In conclusion, our findings indicated that viewing bonsai induces physiological and psychological relaxation.

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Masahiro Nara; Daisuke Takayama; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Effects of Viewing Bonsai in Elderly Patients Undergoing Rehabilitation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 2635 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Masahiro Nara, Daisuke Takayama, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Effects of Viewing Bonsai in Elderly Patients Undergoing Rehabilitation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (12):2635.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Masahiro Nara; Daisuke Takayama; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2018. "Physiological Effects of Viewing Bonsai in Elderly Patients Undergoing Rehabilitation." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 12: 2635.

Journal article
Published: 28 September 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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We clarified the physiological effects of tactile stimulation of the soles of the feet with the wood of the Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) based on measurements of prefrontal cortex and autonomic nervous activities. Nineteen female university-attending students (age: 21.2 ± 0.3 years) were included. Oxy-hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations in the prefrontal cortex were determined by using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. The high frequency (HF) indicating parasympathetic nervous activity and the ratio of low frequency (LF)/HF indicating sympathetic nervous activity were measured using heart rate variability. To evaluate the psychological effects caused by contact with the materials, the modified semantic differential method was used. The soles of the participants’ feet were touched to a 600 × 600-mm plate made of Hinoki, which was finished in non-coating and brushing for 90 s. A marble plate served as the control. Next, subjective evaluation tests were administered to the participants. Compared with touching marble, touching Hinoki significantly (1) decreased the oxy-Hb concentrations in the left and right prefrontal cortices, which indicates decreased prefrontal cortex activity, (2) increased ln(HF), which indicates increased parasympathetic nervous activity, (3) decreased ln(LF/HF) ratio, which indicates decreased sympathetic nervous activity. Additionally, (4) according to subjective evaluations, the participants perceived themselves as being more “comfortable,” “relaxed,” “natural,” “warm,” “uneven,” “dry,” and “soft” after touching Hinoki. Thus, our cumulative findings indicate that touching Hinoki with the soles of the feet induces physiological relaxation.

ACS Style

Harumi Ikei; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Effects of Touching the Wood of Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) with the Soles of the Feet. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 2135 .

AMA Style

Harumi Ikei, Chorong Song, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Effects of Touching the Wood of Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) with the Soles of the Feet. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (10):2135.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Harumi Ikei; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2018. "Physiological Effects of Touching the Wood of Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) with the Soles of the Feet." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 10: 2135.

Journal article
Published: 26 January 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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This study was aimed to clarify the physiological effects of visual stimulation using forest imagery on activity of the brain and autonomic nervous system. Seventeen female university students (mean age, 21.1 ± 1.0 years) participated in the study. As an indicator of brain activity, oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations were measured in the left and right prefrontal cortex using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used as an indicator of autonomic nervous activity. The high-frequency (HF) component of HRV, which reflected parasympathetic nervous activity, and the ratio of low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency components (LF/HF), which reflected sympathetic nervous activity, were measured. Forest and city (control) images were used as visual stimuli using a large plasma display window. After sitting at rest viewing a gray background for 60 s, participants viewed two images for 90 s. During rest and visual stimulation, HRV and oxy-Hb concentration in the prefrontal cortex were continuously measured. Immediately thereafter, subjective evaluation of feelings was performed using a modified semantic differential (SD) method. The results showed that visual stimulation with forest imagery induced (1) a significant decrease in oxy-Hb concentrations in the right prefrontal cortex and (2) a significant increase in perceptions of feeling “comfortable,” “relaxed,” and “natural.”

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation with Forest Imagery. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 213 .

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Harumi Ikei, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation with Forest Imagery. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (2):213.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2018. "Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation with Forest Imagery." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 2: 213.

Original article
Published: 19 January 2018 in Journal of Wood Science
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This study aimed to clarify the physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (hereinafter called “hinoki”) (Chamaecyparis obtusa) wood with the palm of the right hand on brain activity and autonomic nervous activity. Twenty-two female university students (mean age 21.1 ± 0.2 years) participated in the study. As an indicator of brain activity, oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations were measured in the left/right prefrontal cortex using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used as an indicator of autonomic nervous activity. The high-frequency (HF) component of HRV, which reflected parasympathetic nervous activity, and the low-frequency (LF)/HF ratio, which reflected sympathetic nervous activity, were measured. Plate (300 × 300 mm) of uncoated hinoki was used as tactile stimulation. Marble was used as a control material. After sitting at rest with their eyes closed, the participants touched the materials for 90 s with their eyes still closed. The results showed that tactile stimulation with hinoki significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentration in the left prefrontal cortex and increased ln(HF) reflected parasympathetic nervous activity compared with marble. In conclusion, our study showed that touching hinoki wood with the palm calms prefrontal cortex activity and increases parasympathetic nervous activity, thereby inducing physiological relaxation.

ACS Style

Harumi Ikei; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa). Journal of Wood Science 2018, 64, 226 -236.

AMA Style

Harumi Ikei, Chorong Song, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa). Journal of Wood Science. 2018; 64 (3):226-236.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Harumi Ikei; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2018. "Physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)." Journal of Wood Science 64, no. 3: 226-236.

Controlled clinical trial
Published: 05 October 2017 in Complementary Therapies in Medicine
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The present study aimed to clarify the effects of viewing fresh roses on prefrontal cortex activity, autonomic nervous activity and subjective assessments of psychological relaxation. A crossover design, in which each experimental group crosses over from one treatment to another, was used. : A total of 15 female university students (mean age 21.7 ± 1.1 years) viewed fresh roses for 3 min; the control consisted of no experimental stimulus. : Physiological effects on prefrontal cortex activity were determined by near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy, which was assessed by measuring oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration in the left and right prefrontal cortex; effects on autonomic nervous activity were assessed by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate. Modified semantic differential method and Profile of Mood States were used to determine subjective evaluations. Viewing roses induced: 1) a significant decrease in oxy-Hb concentrations in the right prefrontal cortex; 2) a marginally significant decrease in ln[LF/(LF + HF)] of HRV, which is associated with sympathetic nervous activity; 3) a significant increase in perceptions of feeling ‘comfortable,’ ‘relaxed,’ and ‘natural;’ and 4) a significant improvement in mood state. These findings indicate that visual stimulation with roses induces physiological and psychological relaxation.

ACS Style

Chorong Song; Miho Igarashi; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological effects of viewing fresh red roses. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2017, 35, 78 -84.

AMA Style

Chorong Song, Miho Igarashi, Harumi Ikei, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological effects of viewing fresh red roses. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2017; 35 ():78-84.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chorong Song; Miho Igarashi; Harumi Ikei; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2017. "Physiological effects of viewing fresh red roses." Complementary Therapies in Medicine 35, no. : 78-84.