Masae Tsutsumi1, Hiroshi Nogaki1, Yoshihisa Shimizu2, Teresa Elizabeth Stone1, Toshio Kobayashi3. 1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan. 2. Department of Medical Life Science, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, Nobeoka, Japan. 3. Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
Abstract
AIM: Globally, awareness of the vital link between health and the natural environment is growing. This pilot study, based on the idea of "forest bathing," or shinrin-yoku, the mindful use of all five senses to engage with nature in a natural environment, was initiated in order to determine whether stimulation by viewing an individual's preferred video of sea or forest had an effect on relaxation. METHODS: The participants were 12 healthy men in their twenties and they were divided into two groups based on their preference for sea or forest scenery by using the Visual Analogue Scale. The participants watched 90 min DVDs of sea with natural sounds and forest with natural sounds while their heart rate variability and Bispectral Index System value were measured by using MemCalc/Tawara and a Bispectral Index System monitor. RESULTS: The participants were divided into two groups of six based on their preference for sea or forest scenery and each indicator was compared between them. Significant differences in a decrease in heart rate, increase in high frequency, and sustained arousal level were observed while viewing the preferred video. These results indicated that the viewing individual's preferred video of sea or forest had a relaxation effect. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that individual preferences should be taken into consideration for video relaxation therapy.
AIM: Globally, awareness of the vital link between health and the natural environment is growing. This pilot study, based on the idea of "forest bathing," or shinrin-yoku, the mindful use of all five senses to engage with nature in a natural environment, was initiated in order to determine whether stimulation by viewing an individual's preferred video of sea or forest had an effect on relaxation. METHODS: The participants were 12 healthy men in their twenties and they were divided into two groups based on their preference for sea or forest scenery by using the Visual Analogue Scale. The participants watched 90 min DVDs of sea with natural sounds and forest with natural sounds while their heart rate variability and Bispectral Index System value were measured by using MemCalc/Tawara and a Bispectral Index System monitor. RESULTS: The participants were divided into two groups of six based on their preference for sea or forest scenery and each indicator was compared between them. Significant differences in a decrease in heart rate, increase in high frequency, and sustained arousal level were observed while viewing the preferred video. These results indicated that the viewing individual's preferred video of sea or forest had a relaxation effect. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that individual preferences should be taken into consideration for video relaxation therapy.
Authors: C Michael Dunham; Amanda L Burger; Barbara M Hileman; Elisha A Chance; Amy E Hutchinson; Chander M Kohli; Lori DeNiro; Jill M Tall; Paul Lisko Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2019-09-26
Authors: Hiromi Suenaga; Kanako Murakami; Nozomi Murata; Syoriki Nishikawa; Masae Tsutsumi; Hiroshi Nogaki Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-12-17 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Federica Zabini; Lorenzo Albanese; Francesco Riccardo Becheri; Gioele Gavazzi; Fiorenza Giganti; Fabio Giovanelli; Giorgio Gronchi; Andrea Guazzini; Marco Laurino; Qing Li; Tessa Marzi; Francesca Mastorci; Francesco Meneguzzo; Stefania Righi; Maria Pia Viggiano Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-30 Impact factor: 3.390