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Physiological and Psychological Responses of Viewing a Waterfall Image: A Crossover Study

Author

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  • Hyunju Jo

    (Center for Environment, Health, and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa 277-0882, Chiba, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work and shared the first authorship.)

  • Harumi Ikei

    (Center for Environment, Health, and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa 277-0882, Chiba, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work and shared the first authorship.)

  • Yoshifumi Miyazaki

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

Abstract

Growing interest in the relaxation effect of nature has elicited demands for scientific verification of the various natural elements. This study investigated the physiological and psychological responses of 27 females in their 20 s to viewing a waterfall and urban images (control) presented via a large, high-resolution display for 90 s. High-frequency [HF] for parasympathetic nervous activity and the ratio of low-frequency (LF)/[LF + HF] for sympathetic nervous activity by heart rate variability and heart rate were recorded. Simultaneous changes in oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex were recorded by near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. The modified semantic differential method and Profile of Mood States Second Edition were used to assess the psychological effects on the participants after viewing each image. The results showed that viewing the waterfall image, compared with viewing the urban image, (1) increased sympathetic nervous activity; (2) provided comfortable, relaxed, and natural impressions; (3) improved mood states. In conclusion, visual contact with a waterfall image physiologically activated sympathetic nervous activity and psychologically evoked positive moods and feelings.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyunju Jo & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2022. "Physiological and Psychological Responses of Viewing a Waterfall Image: A Crossover Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:565-:d:1018772
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2020. "Effect of Viewing Real Forest Landscapes on Brain Activity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-10, August.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2018. "Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation with Forest Imagery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-11, January.
    5. 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.
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