Study: Images of nature can improve the recovery of stress

reference

Design

participant

target parameter

• The activity of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) was assessed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a common physiological indicator for the vaguston.
• The activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) was evaluated using the cardiac pre -rejection period (PEP), the time between the depolarization of the left ventricular and the opening of the aorta. PEP decreases with increasing SNS activity. 2

important knowledge

• RSA: When considering the manure stressor, the RSA (+31.82 ms ± 7.02 ms) increased in comparison to the consideration of the scenes built (+11.39 ms ± 6.41 ms) in a way that was statistically significant [f (1.41) = 4.45, p = 0.04, ηp2 [1] = 0.1]. However, none of the scenic types had a significant influence on the stress result if it was considered before the stressor [f (1.43) = 0.61, p 0.44, ηp2 = 0.01].
• Pep: The scene type had no significant influence on the PEP [f (1,43) = 0.02, p = 0.9, ηp2 = 0.0] or afterwards [f (1.43) = 0.55, p = 0.46, ηp2 = 0.01] The manure stressor.

practice implications

1. whether the view of green or built scenes can play a role buffering Effect on the ANS function (i.e. a protective ability to reduce stress reactions if they are considered before a stress factor)
2. whether the view of green or built scenes can play a role strengthening effect on the ANS function (i.e. a therapeutic ability to reduce stress reactions if they are considered according to a stress factor)
3. whether the scenes built by green vs.
   The results indicate that viewing scenes of green areas can be most effective for coping with stress according to A stressful event has occurred, as is shown by increased RSA as an indicator of parasympathetic activity. This fits results from many other studies that prove this ans effect of contact with nature compared to modern urban environments 3-4 Especially in the Shinrin-Yoku or "forest air bath" literature. Significant effects on the health through modulation of all-eastal impact and influence processes such as cardiovascular and digestive function, blood sugar regulation, immune status and mental health.

   With regard to the buffering , the effect of nature on stress does not support the results of this study that the physiological effects of stressors can reduce the idea of ​​considering natural images. This may not be surprising, since the physiological activation of the SNS and the reduction in PNS activity in response to stressors is a prerequisite for survival on the combat or flight reaction. To dampen this reaction by all means, in particular by looking at the ubiquitous natural scenes that were the constant environment of our ancestors, would be an evolutionary obligation to survive. While time in nature can be advantageous in nature for restful reasons, experience at the moment does not seem to "immunize" someone against future stress. Long -term natural exposure may cause structural and functional changes in the nervous system, similar to the neuroplastic changes that result from regular meditation practice. ^{9 But at this point this idea is purely speculative and goes beyond the framework of the current study.}

   This study is encouraging because it indicates that natural images alone are sufficient to achieve physiological benefits.

   The data does not support the hypothesis that viewing natural scenes increases the PEP, which does not indicate a reduction in sympathetic activity. This contradicts other experimental studies in this area of ​​research 6.10 and is most likely a result of the low statistical meaning due to the crossover design error just mentioned. It was found that this growing research area lacks a meta -analysis in order to determine the true effectiveness and clinical effect, although the very different study designs, interventions and biomarkers that are used in these studies currently make such an effort impossible.

   In addition to the design problems mentioned above, this study has some other restrictions. First, order effect data destroy the value of a crossover attempt and restrict the statistical meaningfulness of the results. Second, this study uses computer screen images of green and built environments and not actual exterior shots that occur in the real world. This limits the applicability of the study to support real natural places as experiences to promote health and well -being. However, a large part of basic research in this area was carried out with photo or video recordings. ^{4.12-13 The information from this study is encouraging because they indicate that natural images alone are sufficient to achieve physiological use. This is important for many groups, including office workers, residents of inner cities and people bound to the house with mobility problems, for whom access to green spaces outdoors may be restricted.}

   The artificial character of this study does not reduce the decades of research and thousands of years of human experience, which demonstrates the relaxing effect of actual natural outdoor spaces. ^{14 This study complements the evidence base for the biophilia hypothesis: The contact with nature, regardless of how it is encountered, can be advantageous for human health and well-being be. fifteen}

   1. Grossman P, Taylor Ew. For understanding the respiratory sinus arrhythmia: relationships with vagustonus of the heart, evolution and organic fray functions. Biol. Psychol . 2007; 74 (2): 263-285.
   2. Schächinger H, Weinbacher M, Kiss A, Ritz R, Langewitz W. Cardiovascular indices of peripheral and central sympathetic activation. Psychosom Med . 2001; 63 (5): 788-796.
   3. Gladwell VF, Brown DK, Barton JL, et al. The effects of natural views on autonomous control. EUR J Appl Physiol . 2012; 112 (9): 3379-3386.
   4. Ulrich RS, Simons RF, Losito Bd, Fiorito E, Miles Ma, Zelson M. Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. J Environ Psychol . 1991; 11 (3): 201-230.
   5. Lee J., Tsunetsugu Y., Takayama N., et al. Influence of forest therapy on cardiovascular relaxation in young adults. evidence -based complementary agent Med . 2014; 2014: 834360.
   6. Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, KASTANI T, KAGAWA T, Miyazaki Y. The physiological effects of Shinrin-Yoku (absorption of the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests in all of Japan. Environment Health back med . 2010; 15 (1): 18-26.
   7. Tonhajzerova I, Mokra D, Visnovcova Z. Vagal function, indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia and cholinergic inflammatory path. Respir physiol neurobiol . 2013; 187 (1): 78–81.
   8. Thayer JF, Sternberg E. beyond the heart frequency variability: vagal regulation of all-east systems. ann ny acadsci . 2006; 1088 (1): 361-372.
   9. Vestergaard-Poulsen, P., van Beek, M., Skewes, J., et al. Long -term meditation is associated with an increased density of the gray substance in the brain stem. Neurbericht . 2009; 20 (2): 170-174.
   10. van den Berg Ae, Custers Mh. Gardening promotes the neuroendocrine and affective restoration of stress. J Health psychology . 2011; 16 (1): 3-11.
   11. Pleasant A, Scanlon MM, Pereira-Leon M. Literature overview?: Environmental design and research on the effects of open spaces on human health in urban areas. res hum ecol . 2013; 20 (1): 36–49.
   12. Hartig T, Corpela KM, Evans GW, Garling T. A measure of restorative quality in environments. Scand Housing planed res . 1997; 14: 175–194.
   13. Parsons R, Tassinary LG, Ulrich RS, Hebl MR, Grossman-Alexander M. The view from the street: Implications for stress relief and immunization. J Environ Psychol . 1998; 18 (2): 113-140.
   14. Kuo Fe. parks and other green environments: essential components of a healthy human living space . Ashburn, VA: National Recreation and Parking Association; 2010.
   15. Grinde B, Patil GG. Biophilia: Does visual contact with nature affect health and well -being? Int J Environ res Public Health . 2009; 6: 2332-2343.