IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v11y2014i10p10883-10901d41399.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Impact of Viewing vs . Not Viewing a Real Forest on Physiological and Psychological Responses in the Same Setting

Author

Listed:
  • Masahiro Horiuchi

    (Division of Human Environmental Science, Mt. Fuji Research Institute, 5597-1, Kami-Yoshida, Fuji-Yoshida City, Yamanashi 4030005, Japan)

  • Junko Endo

    (Division of Human Environmental Science, Mt. Fuji Research Institute, 5597-1, Kami-Yoshida, Fuji-Yoshida City, Yamanashi 4030005, Japan)

  • Norimasa Takayama

    (Department of Forest Management, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsuno-sato, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan)

  • Kazutaka Murase

    (Fuji Iyashinomoroi Woodland Study Center, The University of Tokyo, Yamanaka 341-2, Yamanakako Village, Minami-tsuru, Yamanashi 4010501, Japan)

  • Norio Nishiyama

    (Fuji Iyashinomoroi Woodland Study Center, The University of Tokyo, Yamanaka 341-2, Yamanakako Village, Minami-tsuru, Yamanashi 4010501, Japan)

  • Haruo Saito

    (Fuji Iyashinomoroi Woodland Study Center, The University of Tokyo, Yamanaka 341-2, Yamanakako Village, Minami-tsuru, Yamanashi 4010501, Japan)

  • Akio Fujiwara

    (Fuji Iyashinomoroi Woodland Study Center, The University of Tokyo, Yamanaka 341-2, Yamanakako Village, Minami-tsuru, Yamanashi 4010501, Japan)

Abstract

We investigated the impact of viewing versus not viewing a real forest on human subjects’ physiological and psychological responses in the same setting. Fifteen healthy volunteers (11 males, four females, mean age 36 years) participated. Each participant was asked to view a forest while seated in a comfortable chair for 15 min (Forest condition) vs. sitting the same length of time with a curtain obscuring the forest view (Enclosed condition). Both conditions significantly decreased blood pressure (BP) variables, i.e. , systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure between pre and post experimental stimuli, but these reductions showed no difference between conditions. Interestingly, the Forest viewing reduced cerebral oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO 2 ) assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and improved the subjects’ Profile of Mood States (POMS) scores, whereas the Enclosed condition increased the HbO 2 and did not affect the POMS scores. There were no significant differences in saliva amylase or heart rate variability (HRV) between the two conditions. Collectively, these results suggest that viewing a real forest may have a positive effect on cerebral activity and psychological responses. However, both viewing and not viewing the forest had similar effects on cardiovascular responses such as BP variables and HRV.

Suggested Citation

  • Masahiro Horiuchi & Junko Endo & Norimasa Takayama & Kazutaka Murase & Norio Nishiyama & Haruo Saito & Akio Fujiwara, 2014. "Impact of Viewing vs . Not Viewing a Real Forest on Physiological and Psychological Responses in the Same Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:10:p:10883-10901:d:41399
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/11/10/10883/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/11/10/10883/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kurt Beil & Douglas Hanes, 2013. "The Influence of Urban Natural and Built Environments on Physiological and Psychological Measures of Stress— A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Jenny J. Roe & Catharine Ward Thompson & Peter A. Aspinall & Mark J. Brewer & Elizabeth I. Duff & David Miller & Richard Mitchell & Angela Clow, 2013. "Green Space and Stress: Evidence from Cortisol Measures in Deprived Urban Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Eunjin Kim & Hwayong Lee, 2023. "Seasonal Forest Changes of Color and Temperature: Effects on the Mood and Physiological State of University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Song Song & Ruoxiang Tu & Yao Lu & Shi Yin & Hankun Lin & Yiqiang Xiao, 2022. "Restorative Effects from Green Exposure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Hiromi Suenaga & Kanako Murakami & Nozomi Murata & Syoriki Nishikawa & Masae Tsutsumi & Hiroshi Nogaki, 2020. "The Effects of an Artificial Garden on Heart Rate Variability among Healthy Young Japanese Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Sus Sola Corazon & Ulrik Sidenius & Dorthe Varning Poulsen & Marie Christoffersen Gramkow & Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, 2019. "Psycho-Physiological Stress Recovery in Outdoor Nature-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of the Past Eight Years of Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-21, May.
    5. Gabriela Gonçalves & Cátia Sousa & Maria Jacinta Fernandes & Nuno Almeida & António Sousa, 2023. "Restorative Effects of Biophilic Workplace and Nature Exposure during Working Time: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-15, October.
    6. Masahiro Horiuchi & Chieko Takiguchi & Yoko Kirihara & Yukari Horiuchi, 2018. "Impact of Wearing Graduated Compression Stockings on Psychological and Physiological Responses during Prolonged Sitting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-11, August.
    7. Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2018. "Physiological Effects of Touching the Wood of Hinoki Cypress ( Chamaecyparis obtusa ) with the Soles of the Feet," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, September.
    8. Kathleen L. Wolf & Sharon T. Lam & Jennifer K. McKeen & Gregory R.A. Richardson & Matilda van den Bosch & Adrina C. Bardekjian, 2020. "Urban Trees and Human Health: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-30, June.
    9. Bingyang Lyu & Chengcheng Zeng & Shouhong Xie & Di Li & Wei Lin & Nian Li & Mingyan Jiang & Shiliang Liu & Qibing Chen, 2019. "Benefits of A Three-Day Bamboo Forest Therapy Session on the Psychophysiology and Immune System Responses of Male College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-18, December.
    10. Kaili Chen & Tianzheng Zhang & Fangyuan Liu & Yingjie Zhang & Yan Song, 2021. "How Does Urban Green Space Impact Residents’ Mental Health: A Literature Review of Mediators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-27, November.
    11. Insook Lee & Heeseung Choi & Kyung-Sook Bang & Sungjae Kim & MinKyung Song & Buhyun Lee, 2017. "Effects of Forest Therapy on Depressive Symptoms among Adults: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, March.
    12. Albert Bach Pagès & Josep Peñuelas & Jana Clarà & Joan Llusià & Ferran Campillo i López & Roser Maneja, 2020. "How Should Forests Be Characterized in Regard to Human Health? Evidence from Existing Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-15, February.
    13. Yasushi Suko & Kaoru Saito & Norimasa Takayama & Shin’ichi Warisawa & Tetsuya Sakuma, 2019. "Effect of Faint Road Traffic Noise Mixed in Birdsong on the Perceived Restorativeness and Listeners’ Physiological Response: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-13, December.
    14. Norimasa Takayama & Akio Fujiwara & Haruo Saito & Masahiro Horiuchi, 2017. "Management Effectiveness of a Secondary Coniferous Forest for Landscape Appreciation and Psychological Restoration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-22, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Liwen Li & Klaus W. Lange, 2023. "Assessing the Relationship between Urban Blue-Green Infrastructure and Stress Resilience in Real Settings: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-28, June.
    2. Melissa R. Marselle & Katherine N. Irvine & Altea Lorenzo-Arribas & Sara L. Warber, 2014. "Moving beyond Green: Exploring the Relationship of Environment Type and Indicators of Perceived Environmental Quality on Emotional Well-Being following Group Walks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, December.
    3. Leyla Deniz Kiraz & Catharine Ward Thompson, 2023. "How Much Did Urban Park Use Change under the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Comparative Study of Summertime Park Use in 2019 and 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-29, October.
    4. Hiromitsu Kobayashi & Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Bum-Jin Park & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2017. "Diurnal Changes in Distribution Characteristics of Salivary Cortisol and Immunoglobulin A Concentrations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-9, August.
    5. Liqing Zhang & Puay Yok Tan, 2019. "Associations between Urban Green Spaces and Health are Dependent on the Analytical Scale and How Urban Green Spaces are Measured," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-18, February.
    6. Miaomiao Liu & Yining Huang & Rosemary Hiscock & Qin Li & Jun Bi & Patrick L. Kinney & Clive E. Sabel, 2016. "Do Climate Change Policies Promote or Conflict with Subjective Wellbeing: A Case Study of Suzhou, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, March.
    7. Sandra Wajchman-Świtalska & Alina Zajadacz & Marcin Woźniak & Roman Jaszczak & Cezary Beker, 2022. "Recreational Evaluation of Forests in Urban Environments: Methodological and Practical Aspects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-20, November.
    8. Daniela Haluza & Regina Schönbauer & Renate Cervinka, 2014. "Green Perspectives for Public Health: A Narrative Review on the Physiological Effects of Experiencing Outdoor Nature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-17, May.
    9. S. Brent Jackson & Kathryn T. Stevenson & Lincoln R. Larson & M. Nils Peterson & Erin Seekamp, 2021. "Outdoor Activity Participation Improves Adolescents’ Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.
    10. Hyunju Jo & Chorong Song & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2019. "Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-23, November.
    11. Andrea Amerio & Andrea Brambilla & Alessandro Morganti & Andrea Aguglia & Davide Bianchi & Francesca Santi & Luigi Costantini & Anna Odone & Alessandra Costanza & Carlo Signorelli & Gianluca Serafini , 2020. "COVID-19 Lockdown: Housing Built Environment’s Effects on Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-10, August.
    12. Ziliang Jin & Jiangping Wang & Xu Liu & Xu Han & Jiaojiao Qi & Jingyong Wang, 2022. "Stress Recovery Effects of Viewing Simulated Urban Parks: Landscape Types, Depressive Symptoms, and Gender Differences," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-23, December.
    13. Elisa Menardo & Donatella Di Marco & Sara Ramos & Margherita Brondino & Alicia Arenas & Patricia Costa & Carlos Vaz de Carvalho & Margherita Pasini, 2022. "Nature and Mindfulness to Cope with Work-Related Stress: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-16, May.
    14. Taylor Van Winkle & Zeenat Kotval-K & Patricia Machemer & Zenia Kotval, 2022. "Health and the Urban Environment: A Bibliometric Mapping of Knowledge Structure and Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, September.
    15. Jeremy Mennis & Xiaojiang Li & Mahbubur Meenar & J. Douglas Coatsworth & Thomas P. McKeon & Michael J. Mason, 2021. "Residential Greenspace and Urban Adolescent Substance Use: Exploring Interactive Effects with Peer Network Health, Sex, and Executive Function," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    16. Reo Jones & Robin Tarter & Amy Miner Ross, 2021. "Greenspace Interventions, Stress and Cortisol: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-21, March.
    17. Jason Corburn, 2017. "Urban Place and Health Equity: Critical Issues and Practices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-10, January.
    18. Kirsten M. M. Beyer & Elizabeth F. Heller & Jessica M. Bizub & Amy J. Kistner & Aniko Szabo & Erin E. Shawgo & Corey J. Zetts, 2015. "More than a Pretty Place: Assessing the Impact of Environmental Education on Children’s Knowledge and Attitudes about Outdoor Play in Nature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-17, February.
    19. Arne Arnberger & Renate Eder & Brigitte Allex & Martin Ebenberger & Hans-Peter Hutter & Peter Wallner & Nicole Bauer & Johann G. Zaller & Thomas Frank, 2018. "Health-Related Effects of Short Stays at Mountain Meadows, a River and an Urban Site—Results from a Field Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, November.
    20. Jean C. Bikomeye & Sima Namin & Chima Anyanwu & Caitlin S. Rublee & Jamie Ferschinger & Ken Leinbach & Patricia Lindquist & August Hoppe & Lawrence Hoffman & Justin Hegarty & Dwayne Sperber & Kirsten , 2021. "Resilience and Equity in a Time of Crises: Investing in Public Urban Greenspace Is Now More Essential Than Ever in the US and Beyond," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-39, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:10:p:10883-10901:d:41399. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.