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Alleviating Surgeons’ Stress through Listening to Natural Sounds in a Half-Encapsulated Rest Space after an Operation: A Pilot, Longitudinal Field Study

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  • Yasushi Suko

    (Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland
    Department of Natural Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi 277-8563, Chiba, Japan)

  • Tomoharu Shindo

    (Department of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi 277-8563, Chiba, Japan)

  • Kaoru Saito

    (Department of Landscape Architecture Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Sakuragaoka 1-1-1, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan)

  • Norimasa Takayama

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

  • Shin’ichi Warisawa

    (Department of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi 277-8563, Chiba, Japan)

  • Tetsuya Sakuma

    (Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Masaaki Ito

    (Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi 277-8577, Chiba, Japan)

  • Pasi Kytölä

    (Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences/Statistics, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland)

  • Tapio Nummi

    (Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences/Statistics, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland)

  • Kalevi Korpela

    (Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland)

Abstract

Background: Natural sounds are reportedly restorative, but most research has used one-off experiments conducted in artificial conditions. Research based on field experiments is still in its infancy. This study aimed to generate hypotheses on the restorative effects of listening to natural sounds on surgeons, representing professionals working in stressful conditions. Methods: Each of four surgeons (two experts and two residents) participated six times in an experiment where they took a 10-min break listening to natural sounds (four times) or without natural sounds (twice) after a surgical operation. We measured their skin conductance level, an indicator of sympathetic arousal, continuously during the break (measurement occasions N = 2520) and assessed their mood using two questionnaires before and after the break ( N = 69 and N = 42). We also interviewed them after the break. Results: Based on statistical Linear Mixed-Effects modeling, we developed two hypotheses for further, more detailed studies: (H1) Listening to natural sounds after an operation improves surgeons’ mood. (H2) Inexperienced surgeons’ tension persists so long that the effect of natural sounds on their sympathetic arousal is negligible. Conclusions: This risk-free, easy-to-use means of stress alleviation through natural sounds could benefit highly-stressed people working indoors.

Suggested Citation

  • Yasushi Suko & Tomoharu Shindo & Kaoru Saito & Norimasa Takayama & Shin’ichi Warisawa & Tetsuya Sakuma & Masaaki Ito & Pasi Kytölä & Tapio Nummi & Kalevi Korpela, 2022. "Alleviating Surgeons’ Stress through Listening to Natural Sounds in a Half-Encapsulated Rest Space after an Operation: A Pilot, Longitudinal Field Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12736-:d:933951
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gunnar Cerwén & Eja Pedersen & Anna-María Pálsdóttir, 2016. "The Role of Soundscape in Nature-Based Rehabilitation: A Patient Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Marcus Hedblom & Bengt Gunnarsson & Martin Schaefer & Igor Knez & Pontus Thorsson & Johan N. Lundström, 2019. "Sounds of Nature in the City: No Evidence of Bird Song Improving Stress Recovery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-12, April.
    3. 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.
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