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Comparison of Physiological and Psychological Relaxation Using Measurements of Heart Rate Variability, Prefrontal Cortex Activity, and Subjective Indexes after Completing Tasks with and without Foliage Plants

Author

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  • Sin-Ae Park

    (Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • Chorong Song

    (Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 277-0882, Japan)

  • Yun-Ah Oh

    (Department of Horticultural Therapy, Graduate School of Agricultural and Animal Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • Yoshifumi Miyazaki

    (Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 277-0882, Japan)

  • Ki-Cheol Son

    (Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare physiological and psychological relaxation by assessing heart rate variability (HRV), prefrontal cortex activity, and subjective indexes while subjects performed a task with and without foliage plants. In a crossover experimental design, 24 university students performed a task transferring pots with and without a foliage plant for 3 min. HRV and oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration in the prefrontal cortex were continuously measured. Immediately thereafter, subjective evaluation of emotions was performed using a modified semantic differential (SD) method and a profile of mood state questionnaire (POMS). Results showed that the natural logarithmic (ln) ratio of low frequency/high frequency, as an estimate of sympathetic nerve activity, was significantly lower while performing the task with foliage plants for the average 3 min measurement interval. Oxy-Hb concentration in the left prefrontal cortex showed a tendency to decrease in the 2–3 min interval in the task with foliage plants compared to the task without plants. Moreover, significant psychological relaxation according to POMS score and SD was demonstrated when the task involved foliage plants. In conclusion, the task involving foliage plants led to more physiological and psychological relaxation compared with the task without foliage plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Sin-Ae Park & Chorong Song & Yun-Ah Oh & Yoshifumi Miyazaki & Ki-Cheol Son, 2017. "Comparison of Physiological and Psychological Relaxation Using Measurements of Heart Rate Variability, Prefrontal Cortex Activity, and Subjective Indexes after Completing Tasks with and without Foliag," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:9:p:1087-:d:112548
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lara S. Franco & Danielle F. Shanahan & Richard A. Fuller, 2017. "A Review of the Benefits of Nature Experiences: More Than Meets the Eye," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-29, August.
    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, 2016. "Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Margaret M. Hansen & Reo Jones & Kirsten Tocchini, 2017. "Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-48, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pei-Chun Tu & Wen-Chen Cheng & Ping-Cheng Hou & Yu-Sen Chang, 2020. "Effects of Types of Horticultural Activity on the Physical and Mental State of Elderly Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-13, July.
    2. 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.
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    4. 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.
    5. Tao Liu & Lin He & Wenhuan Yu & Thomas Freudenreich & Xianhao Lin, 2022. "Effect of Green Plants on Individuals’ Mental Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Preliminary Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-11, October.
    6. Chie Imamura & Kiyomi Sakakibara & Kyosuke Arai & Hideki Ohira & Yuhei Yamaguchi & Hitoshi Yamada, 2022. "Effect of Indoor Forest Bathing on Reducing Feelings of Fatigue Using Cerebral Activity as an Indicator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, May.
    7. Gianluca Grilli & Sandro Sacchelli, 2020. "Health Benefits Derived from Forest: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
    8. Yun-Ah Oh & Seon-Ok Kim & Sin-Ae Park, 2019. "Real Foliage Plants as Visual Stimuli to Improve Concentration and Attention in Elementary Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-12, March.
    9. Yang Suk Joy & A-Young Lee & Sin-Ae Park, 2020. "A Horticultural Therapy Program Focused on Succulent Cultivation for the Vocational Rehabilitation Training of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-13, February.
    10. Ya-Hui Chung & Shiu-Jen Chen & Ching-Luug Lee & Chun-Wei Wu & Yu-Sen Chang, 2022. "Relaxing Effects of Breathing Pseudotsuga menziesii and Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oils on Psychophysiological Status in Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.

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