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Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments

Author

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  • Hyunju Jo

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

  • Chorong Song

    (Center for Environment, Health, and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
    Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do 32439, Korea)

  • Yoshifumi Miyazaki

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

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:23:p:4739-:d:291328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    11. Hiroko Ochiai & Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2017. "Effects of Visual Stimulation with Bonsai Trees on Adult Male Patients with Spinal Cord Injury," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-10, September.
    12. 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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    Cited by:

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    7. Eva Hernandez-Garcia & Evangelia Chrysikou & Anastasia Z. Kalea, 2021. "The Interplay between Housing Environmental Attributes and Design Exposures and Psychoneuroimmunology Profile—An Exploratory Review and Analysis Paper in the Cancer Survivors’ Mental Health Morbidity ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-32, October.
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    9. Mário Santos & Helena Moreira & João Alexandre Cabral & Ronaldo Gabriel & Andreia Teixeira & Rita Bastos & Alfredo Aires, 2022. "Contribution of Home Gardens to Sustainable Development: Perspectives from A Supported Opinion Essay," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-26, October.
    10. Manoj Sharma & Erin Largo-Wight & Amar Kanekar & Hana Kusumoto & Stephanie Hooper & Vinayak K. Nahar, 2020. "Using the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Change to Explain Intentional Outdoor Nature Contact Behavior among College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
    11. Meredith Perry & Lucy Cotes & Benjamin Horton & Rebecca Kunac & Isaac Snell & Blake Taylor & Abbey Wright & Hemakumar Devan, 2021. "“Enticing” but Not Necessarily a “Space Designed for Me”: Experiences of Urban Park Use by Older Adults with Disability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-19, January.
    12. 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.
    13. Mare Lõhmus & Cecilia U. D. Stenfors & Tomas Lind & André Lauber & Antonios Georgelis, 2021. "Mental Health, Greenness, and Nature Related Behaviors in the Adult Population of Stockholm County during COVID-19-Related Restrictions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-21, March.
    14. Patricia M. Darcy & Jennifer Taylor & Lorna Mackay & Naomi J. Ellis & Christopher J. Gidlow, 2022. "Understanding the Role of Nature Engagement in Supporting Health and Wellbeing during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-27, March.
    15. Derrien, Monika M. & Bratman, Gregory N. & Cerveny, Lee K. & Levy, Chaja & Blahna, Dale J. & Frank, Paulo & Serio, Naomi, 2024. "Public nature and health for homeless populations: Professionals’ perceptions of contingent human benefits and harms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    16. 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.
    17. Viola Benedetti & Gioele Gavazzi & Fiorenza Giganti & Elio Carlo & Francesco Riccardo Becheri & Federica Zabini & Fabio Giovannelli & Maria Pia Viggiano, 2023. "Virtual Forest Environment Influences Inhibitory Control," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, July.
    18. Fudan Liu & Xi Meng, 2024. "Integrating the Living Wall with Mechanical Ventilation to Improve Indoor Thermal Environment in the Transition Season," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-16, May.

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