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Physiological Effects of Touching Wood

Author

Listed:
  • Harumi Ikei

    (Department of Wood Engineering, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan
    Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
    These authors have contributed equally to this work.)

  • Chorong Song

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

  • Yoshifumi Miyazaki

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

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the physiological effects of touching wood with the palm, in comparison with touching other materials on brain activity and autonomic nervous activity. Eighteen female university students (mean age, 21.7 ± 1.6 years) participated in the study. As an indicator of brain activity, oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations were measured in the left/right prefrontal cortex using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used as an indicator of autonomic nervous activity. The high-frequency (HF) component of HRV, which reflected parasympathetic nervous activity, and the low-frequency (LF)/HF ratio, which reflected sympathetic nervous activity, were measured. Plates of uncoated white oak, marble, tile, and stainless steel were used as tactile stimuli. After sitting at rest with their eyes closed, participants touched the materials for 90 s. As a result, tactile stimulation with white oak significantly (1) decreased the oxy-Hb concentration in the left/right prefrontal cortex relative to marble, tile, and stainless steel and (2) increased ln(HF)-reflected parasympathetic nervous activity relative to marble and stainless steel. In conclusion, our study revealed that touching wood with the palm calms prefrontal cortex activity and induces parasympathetic nervous activity more than other materials, thereby inducing physiological relaxation.

Suggested Citation

  • Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2017. "Physiological Effects of Touching Wood," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:7:p:801-:d:105031
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Francesco Meneguzzo & Lorenzo Albanese & Michele Antonelli & Rita Baraldi & Francesco Riccardo Becheri & Francesco Centritto & Davide Donelli & Franco Finelli & Fabio Firenzuoli & Giovanni Margheritin, 2021. "Short-Term Effects of Forest Therapy on Mood States: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2017. "Physiological Effects of Touching Coated Wood," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-14, July.
    4. Harumi Ikei & Hyunju Jo & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2023. "Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation by a Japanese Low Wooden Table: A Crossover Field Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-13, July.
    5. Poung-Sik Yeon & In-Ok Kim & Si-Nae Kang & Nee-Eun Lee & Ga-Yeon Kim & Gyeong-Min Min & Chung-Yeub Chung & Jung-Sok Lee & Jin-Gun Kim & Won-Sop Shin, 2022. "Effects of Urban Forest Therapy Program on Depression Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.
    6. Vincent Grote & Matthias Frühwirth & Helmut K. Lackner & Nandu Goswami & Markus Köstenberger & Rudolf Likar & Maximilian Moser, 2021. "Cardiorespiratory Interaction and Autonomic Sleep Quality Improve during Sleep in Beds Made from Pinus cembra (Stone Pine) Solid Wood," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-20, September.
    7. Norimasa Takayama & Takeshi Morikawa & Kazuko Koga & Yoichi Miyazaki & Kenichi Harada & Keiko Fukumoto & Yuji Tsujiki, 2022. "Exploring the Physiological and Psychological Effects of Digital Shinrin-Yoku and Its Characteristics as a Restorative Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-18, January.
    8. Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2018. "Physiological Effects of Touching the Wood of Hinoki Cypress ( Chamaecyparis obtusa ) with the Soles of the Feet," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, September.
    9. Hyunju Jo & Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Seiya Enomoto & Hiromitsu Kobayashi & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2019. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest and Urban Sounds Using High-Resolution Sound Sources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-13, July.
    10. Poung-Sik Yeon & Jin-Young Jeon & Myeong-Seo Jung & Gyeong-Min Min & Ga-Yeon Kim & Kyung-Mi Han & Min-Ja Shin & Seong-Hee Jo & Jin-Gun Kim & Won-Sop Shin, 2021. "Effect of Forest Therapy on Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-27, December.

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