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Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Chorong Song

    (Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan)

  • Harumi Ikei

    (Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
    Current Address: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan)

  • Yoshifumi Miyazaki

    (Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan)

Abstract

Humans have evolved into what they are today after the passage of 6–7 million years. If we define the beginning of urbanization as the rise of the industrial revolution, less than 0.01% of our species’ history has been spent in modern surroundings. Humans have spent over 99.99% of their time living in the natural environment. The gap between the natural setting, for which our physiological functions are adapted, and the highly urbanized and artificial setting that we inhabit is a contributing cause of the “stress state” in modern people. In recent years, scientific evidence supporting the physiological effects of relaxation caused by natural stimuli has accumulated. This review aimed to objectively demonstrate the physiological effects of nature therapy. We have reviewed research in Japan related to the following: (1) the physiological effects of nature therapy, including those of forests, urban green space, plants, and wooden material and (2) the analyses of individual differences that arise therein. The search was conducted in the PubMed database using various keywords. We applied our inclusion/exclusion criteria and reviewed 52 articles. Scientific data assessing physiological indicators, such as brain activity, autonomic nervous activity, endocrine activity, and immune activity, are accumulating from field and laboratory experiments. We believe that nature therapy will play an increasingly important role in preventive medicine in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2016. "Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:8:p:781-:d:75262
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Forest Therapy Program on Middle-Aged Females," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Miho Igarashi & Mariko Aga & Harumi Ikei & Takafumi Namekawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects on High School Students of Viewing Real and Artificial Pansies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Elucidation of a Physiological Adjustment Effect in a Forest Environment: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-9, April.
    4. Michel Brunet & Franck Guy & David Pilbeam & Hassane Taisso Mackaye & Andossa Likius & Djimdoumalbaye Ahounta & Alain Beauvilain & Cécile Blondel & Hervé Bocherens & Jean-Renaud Boisserie & Louis De B, 2002. "A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6894), pages 145-151, July.
    5. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Miho Igarashi & Michiko Takagaki & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Walk in Urban Parks in Fall," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, November.
    6. Michel Brunet & Franck Guy & David Pilbeam & Hassane Taisso Mackaye & Andossa Likius & Djimdoumalbaye Ahounta & Alain Beauvilain & Cécile Blondel & Hervé Bocherens & Jean-Renaud Boisserie & Louis De B, 2002. "Erratum: A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6899), pages 801-801, August.
    7. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Maiko Kobayashi & Takashi Miura & Masao Taue & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Effect of Forest Walking on Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Middle-Aged Hypertensive Individuals: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, March.
    8. Miho Igarashi & Masayuki Miwa & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Michiko Takagaki & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Viewing a Kiwifruit ( Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’) Orchard Landscape in Summer in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-12, June.
    9. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Ako Takamatsu & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy on Middle-Aged Males with High-Normal Blood Pressure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, February.
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