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Assessing the Effects of Nature on Physiological States Using Wearable Technologies

Author

Listed:
  • Dannie Fu

    (Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada)

  • Natalia Incio Serra

    (School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada)

  • Hubert Mansion

    (L’Université Dans la Nature, Montreal, QC H1V 1H6, Canada)

  • Emilia Tamko Mansion

    (L’Université Dans la Nature, Montreal, QC H1V 1H6, Canada)

  • Stefanie Blain-Moraes

    (School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada)

Abstract

Nature therapy and forest bathing (FB) have been shown to have quantifiable positive effects on human health, but the physiological effects of a guided interactive nature activity remain unexplored. Autonomic nervous system responses to a guided nature walk (Nature Break) were assessed through the continuous measurement of the electrodermal activity (EDA), fingertip temperature, and heart rate (HR) of n = 48 participants, using a wearable sensor. Psychological distress was assessed before and after the activity using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) for n = 38 (24 females, 14 males, mean age = 43.55 ± 11.61 years) participants. The negative dimensions of POMS decreased and the positive (vigor) dimensions increased following a Nature Break. Significant differences were found across all of the physiological features, with some differences occurring between the morning and afternoon groups and between different days. The participants’ mean HR decreased throughout the Nature Break. Our results suggest that interactive nature activities have positive psychological benefits and demonstrate the feasibility of using wearable sensors to monitor physiological responses in a naturalistic forest bathing activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Dannie Fu & Natalia Incio Serra & Hubert Mansion & Emilia Tamko Mansion & Stefanie Blain-Moraes, 2022. "Assessing the Effects of Nature on Physiological States Using Wearable Technologies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1231-:d:730988
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Forest Therapy Program on Middle-Aged Females," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Bum-Jin Park & Juyoung Lee & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2018. "Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Hiromitsu Kobayashi & Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Bum-Jin Park & Juyoung Lee & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2017. "Population-Based Study on the Effect of a Forest Environment on Salivary Cortisol Concentration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-9, August.
    4. Margaret M. Hansen & Reo Jones & Kirsten Tocchini, 2017. "Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-48, July.
    5. 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.
    6. Miho Igarashi & Masayuki Miwa & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Michiko Takagaki & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Viewing a Kiwifruit ( Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’) Orchard Landscape in Summer in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-12, June.
    7. Su Geun Im & Han Choi & Yo-Han Jeon & Min-Kyu Song & Won Kim & Jong-Min Woo, 2016. "Comparison of Effect of Two-Hour Exposure to Forest and Urban Environments on Cytokine, Anti-Oxidant, and Stress Levels in Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-11, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Togo Onishi & Masayuki Yamasaki & Taketaka Hara & Tetsuya Hirotomi & Ryo Miyazaki, 2022. "Esports for Seniors: Acute Effects of Esports Gaming in the Community on the Emotional State and Heart Rate among Japanese Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-11, September.
    2. Elena Bermejo-Martins & María Pueyo-Garrigues & María Casas & Raúl Bermejo-Orduna & Ana Villarroya, 2022. "A Forest Bathing Intervention in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Feasibility Study Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.

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