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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.
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 StyleHyunju 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 StyleHyunju 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.
The number of people addicted to gambling has increased worldwide. They often suffer from debilitating medical conditions associated with stress or depression. This study examined the physiological and psychological reactions of gambling disorder (GD) patients while listening to high-definition forest or city sounds using headphones. In total, 12 Japanese male GD patients were exposed to high-definition forest or city sound waves for 1 min via headphones. Near-infrared spectroscopy of the prefrontal cortex was used to examine oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations. Heart rate and heart rate variability are indicators of autonomic nervous function. We performed subjective evaluation via the modified version of the semantic differential (SD) method with the profiles of the mood states (POMS). Experiencing forest sounds led to substantial differences as opposed to listening to city sounds: (1) oxy-Hb levels of the bilateral prefrontal cortices were lower (2) the modified SD method resulted in increased comfortable and relaxed feelings, (3) the negative POMS subscale scores were significantly lower, indicating that negative emotions diminished markedly when patients listened to forest sounds. This is the first study to show that sounds of forest relaxed individuals physiologically and psychologically to minimize GD.
Hiroko Ochiai; Chorong Song; Hyunju Jo; Masayuki Oishi; Michiko Imai; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Relaxing Effect Induced by Forest Sound in Patients with Gambling Disorder. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5969 .
AMA StyleHiroko Ochiai, Chorong Song, Hyunju Jo, Masayuki Oishi, Michiko Imai, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Relaxing Effect Induced by Forest Sound in Patients with Gambling Disorder. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (15):5969.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHiroko Ochiai; Chorong Song; Hyunju Jo; Masayuki Oishi; Michiko Imai; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2020. "Relaxing Effect Induced by Forest Sound in Patients with Gambling Disorder." Sustainability 12, no. 15: 5969.
Contact with nature has been proposed as a solution to achieve physiological relaxation and stress recovery, and a number of scientific verification outcomes have been shown. Compared with studies of the other senses, studies investigating the visual effects of nature have been at the forefront of this research field. A variety of physiological indicators adopted for use in indoor experiments have shown the benefits of viewing nature. In this systematic review, we examined current peer-reviewed articles regarding the physiological effects of visual stimulation from elements or representations of nature in an indoor setting. The articles were analyzed for their stimulation method, physiological measures applied, groups of participants, and outcomes. Thirty-seven articles presenting evidence of the physiological effects of viewing nature were selected. The majority of the studies that used display stimuli, such as photos, 3D images, virtual reality, and videos of natural landscapes, confirmed that viewing natural scenery led to more relaxed body responses than viewing the control. Studies that used real nature stimuli reported that visual contact with flowers, green plants, and wooden materials had positive effects on cerebral and autonomic nervous activities compared with the control. Accumulation of scientific evidence of the physiological relaxation associated with viewing elements of nature would be useful for preventive medicine, specifically nature therapy.
Hyunju Jo; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 4739 .
AMA StyleHyunju Jo, Chorong Song, Yoshifumi Miyazaki. Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (23):4739.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHyunju Jo; Chorong Song; Yoshifumi Miyazaki. 2019. "Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 23: 4739.