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. 2022 Jan 21;19(3):1202.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031202.

Exploring the Physiological and Psychological Effects of Digital Shinrin-Yoku and Its Characteristics as a Restorative Environment

Norimasa Takayama  1 , Takeshi Morikawa  2 , Kazuko Koga  3 , Yoichi Miyazaki  4 , Kenichi Harada  4 , Keiko Fukumoto  5 , Yuji Tsujiki  4
Affiliations

Exploring the Physiological and Psychological Effects of Digital Shinrin-Yoku and Its Characteristics as a Restorative Environment

Norimasa Takayama et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

This study investigated the physiological and psychological therapeutic effects of a digital Shinrin-yoku environment constructed indoors in an urban facility as well as the characteristics of the environment that contribute to restorativeness (restorative traits). We measured the fluctuations in the physical and mental states of 25 subjects by obtaining both before-after measurements and continuous measurements while exposed to a digital Shinrin-yoku environment that reproduced visual, auditory, and olfactory elements. The results demonstrated that the parasympathetic nerve activity was significantly increased and that the heart rate was significantly decreased during the exposure compared with that during the resting state. As for mood, five of the six Profile of Mood States (POMS) scales ("Tension-Anxiety," "Depression," "Anger-Hostility," "Fatigue," and "Confusion") were significantly decreased after the experience. In addition, psychological restorative effects were also confirmed, with a significant decrease in "negative affect" (measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)) and a significant increase in the sense of restorativeness (Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS)) after the experience. In contrast, comparing the digital Shinrin-yoku environment with the actual forest environment and the urban environment using POMS, PANAS, ROS, and Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), the psychological effects and environmental traits of the digital Shinrin-yoku were found to be considerably similar to those of the actual forest environment.

Keywords: auditory element; digital Shinrin-yoku; forest bathing; olfactory element; physiological effect; psychological effect; restorative trait; virtual experience; visual element.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Location map of the experimental site.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Layout of the experimental and waiting rooms.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Measurement of each physiological indicator. Note: For the measurement of HRV, the sensor was attached to the body before the experiment, and the data logger was continuously fixed at the waist position for recording during the experiment. To measure blood pressure and pulse rate, a small arm-wrapped sphygmomanometer was used and fixed at the level of the heart each time during the measurements. Salivary amylase was also collected using a special regent. For the questionnaire survey, the experimental room was lit so that the participants could see their hands when answering the questions.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Experimental protocols and indicators.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The experiment in progress.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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