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Real Foliage Plants as Visual Stimuli to Improve Concentration and Attention in Elementary Students

Author

Listed:
  • Yun-Ah Oh

    (Department of Animal and Plant Assisted Therapy, Graduate School of Agriculture and Animal Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • Seon-Ok Kim

    (Department of Animal and Plant Assisted Therapy, Graduate School of Agriculture and Animal Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • Sin-Ae Park

    (Department of Animal and Plant Assisted Therapy, Graduate School of Agriculture and Animal Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
    Department of Environmental Health Science, Sanghuh College of Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the physiological and psychological benefits of foliage plants as visual stimuli. Twenty-three elementary students (aged 11 to 13 years old) participated in this study. In a crossover design, electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure and determine the psycho-physiological effects of four different visual stimuli: an actual plant, artificial plant, photograph of a plant, and no plant. Subjective evaluations of emotions were assessed using the profile of mood state and semantic differential methods immediately after exposure to each visual stimulus. A significant decrease in theta waves of the frontal lobe was associated with presentation of the actual plants. This response indicated that the viewing of living plants prompted improvements in the attention and concentration of the elementary students. Furthermore, the presentation of the living plants was associated with more positive mood states, such as feelings of comfort and naturalness. In conclusion, actual plants may improve attention and prompt psychological relaxation in elementary students relative to artificial plants, photographs of plants, or the absence of plants.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:5:p:796-:d:210969
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Kuo, F.E. & Faber Taylor, A., 2004. "A potential natural treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Evidence from a national study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(9), pages 1580-1586.
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    Cited by:

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    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. Po Lam Ho & Tsz Wai Li & Huinan Liu & Tsun Fung Yeung & Wai Kai Hou, 2022. "Testing a New Protocol of Nature-Based Intervention to Enhance Well-Being: A Randomized Control Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-14, March.

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