scholarly journals Physiological and Psychological Effects of Viewing Forests on Young Women

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chorong Song ◽  
Harumi Ikei ◽  
Takahide Kagawa ◽  
Yoshifumi Miyazaki
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Differential Method ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Total Mood Disturbance ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Negative Feelings

Research Highlights: This study demonstrated that viewing forest landscapes induced physical and mental health benefits on young women. Background and Objectives: The health-promoting effects of spending time in forests have received increasing attention; however, there is a lack of evidence-based research investigating the effects of spending time in forests on women. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and psychological effects of viewing forest landscapes on young women. Materials and Methods: The experiments were conducted in six forests and six city areas and included 65 women (mean age, 21.0 ± 1.3 years). Participants viewed a forest and a city area for 15 min, during which their heart rate variability and heart rate were measured continuously. Blood pressure and pulse rate were measured before and after the viewing. After the viewing, participants’ psychological responses were assessed using the modified semantic differential method, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: Compared with viewing city areas, viewing forest landscapes was associated with significantly higher parasympathetic nervous activity and lower sympathetic nervous activity and heart rate. Moreover, scores of the comfortable, relaxed, and natural parameters and vigor subscales of POMS were significantly higher with forest viewing. The scores of negative feelings, such as tension–anxiety, depression–dejection, anger–hostility, fatigue, and confusion, were significantly lower, as were scores for the total mood disturbance observed using POMS and the anxiety dimension observed using STAI. Conclusions: Viewing forest landscapes resulted in physiological and psychological relaxations in young women.

scholarly journals Effects of Walking in a Forest on Young Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chorong Song ◽  
Harumi Ikei ◽  
Takahide Kagawa ◽  
Yoshifumi Miyazaki
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Differential Method ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Relaxation Effects ◽  
Subjective Evaluations ◽  
Total Mood Disturbance ◽  
Negative Feelings

The effects of forest activities on health promotion have received increasing attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and psychological effects of brief walks in forests on young women. The experiments were conducted in 6 forests (test) and 6 city areas (control). Overall, 12 participants in each area (60 participants in total, mean age: 21.0 ± 1.3 years) were instructed to walk in a forest and a city area for approximately 15 min; simultaneously, their heart rate variability, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse rate were measured to quantify their physiological responses to walking. The modified semantic differential method, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to determine their psychological responses. Walking in a forest was associated with significantly higher parasympathetic nervous activity and lower sympathetic nervous activity and heart rate. In addition, scores for the comfortable, relaxed, and natural parameters and vigor subscale of POMS were significantly higher, whereas scores for negative feelings, such as tension–anxiety, depression–dejection, anger–hostility, fatigue, and confusion, were significantly lower, as were the total mood disturbance of POMS and the anxiety dimension of the STAI. The subjective evaluations were generally in accordance with the physiological responses. A brief walk in a forest resulted in physiological and psychological relaxation effects in young women.

Plasma norepinephrine response to exercise before and after training in humans

1981 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 812-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Peronnet ◽  
J. Cleroux ◽  
H. Perrault ◽  
D. Cousineau ◽  
J. de Champlain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Work Load ◽  
Bicycle Ergometer ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Plasma Norepinephrine ◽  
Maximal Heart Rate ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous

Plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentration was measured by means of a sensitive radioenzymatic assay in blood collected from an antecubital vein in 10 healthy male subjects (37 +/- 2 yr, mean +/- SE). The subjects were evaluated at rest and during exercise before and after a 20-wk training program on bicycle ergometer (three 30-min sessions per week at 80% of maximal heart rate). Following the training program, maximal oxygen uptake increased significantly from 33 +/- 2 to 42 +/- 1 ml . kg-1 . min-1. Resting plasma NE remained unchanged after training (167 +/- 38 before and 185 +/- 29 pg . ml-1 after training). For a given absolute work load (735 +/- 51 kg . m. min-1) the sympathetic nervous response was lower after training as reflected by the decrease in NE concentration (1,371 +/- 286 vs. 687 +/- 64 pg . ml-1). At the same relative work load (heart rate: 158 +/- 5 before and 157 +/- 5 beats . min-1 after training) plasma NE concentration was unchanged after training (1,371 +/- 286 vs. 1,729 +/0 371 pg . ml-1). Results from the present study show that the sympathetic nervous activity is closely linked to the exercise demands and confirm earlier suggestions that it remains constant in relation to the relative work load.

scholarly journals Physiological Effects of Viewing Bonsai in Elderly Patients Undergoing Rehabilitation

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chorong Song ◽  
Harumi Ikei ◽  
Masahiro Nara ◽  
Daisuke Takayama ◽  
Yoshifumi Miyazaki
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Differential Method ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Physiological Effects ◽  
Autonomic Nervous Activity ◽  
Japanese Cypress ◽  
Autonomic Nervous

The benefits of various nature-derived stimuli that can be used for stress relief and relaxation has recently gained immense attention; however, there are very few studies about their influence on elderly patients. The present study aims to present the effects of viewing bonsai on autonomic nervous activity, prefrontal cortex activity, and subjective assessment findings of psychological relaxation in elderly patients undergoing rehabilitation. Fourteen participants aged 64–91 years (mean age ± standard deviation, 78.6 ± 9.6 years) participated in this study. Miniature potted 10-year-old Japanese cypress bonsai trees were used as visual stimuli. Participants viewed the bonsai for 1 min, and the control comprised of no experimental stimulus. Physiological effects on autonomic nervous activity were assessed by measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse rate. The effects on prefrontal cortex activity were determined using near-infrared spectroscopy, which involved assessment of oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the left and right prefrontal cortices. Subjective evaluations were achieved by the modified semantic differential method. Viewing bonsai resulted in a significant increase in parasympathetic nervous activity, a significant decrease in sympathetic nervous activity, and a significant increase in the perceptions of feeling “comfortable” and “relaxed.” In conclusion, our findings indicated that viewing bonsai induces physiological and psychological relaxation.

Heart Rate Variability During Early Mobilization in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 50-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masafumi Nozoe ◽  
Miho Yamamoto ◽  
Miki Kobayashi ◽  
Masashi Kanai ◽  
Hiroki Kubo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Early Mobilization ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Parasympathetic Nerve ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous

Autonomic dysfunction is one of the predictors of poor outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We compared the heart rate variability (HRV) during early mobilization in patients with or without neurological deterioration (ND). We enrolled 7 acute ischemic patients with ND and 14 without ND and measured their HRV in the rest and mobilization by electrocardiography. There was a significant difference in sympathetic nervous activity during mobilization between the 2 groups. However, no significant differences in blood pressure, heart rate, and parasympathetic nerve activity were observed. In patients with acute ischemic stroke, it is likely that the increase in sympathetic nervous activity during mobilization is associated with ND.

463 The Effect of Intervention of Medical Staff on the Adherence of CPAP and Heart Rate in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A182-A183
Author(s):  
Ryutaro Shirahama ◽  
Rie Ishimaru ◽  
Jun Takagiwa ◽  
Yasue Mitsukura
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Sleep Stages ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Tele Monitoring ◽  
Mean Heart Rate

Abstract Introduction Recent studies have indicated that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with hypertension. OSA is a common cause of sympathetic nervous activity. Increase of sympathetic nervous activity causes hypertension. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most useful treatment for OSAS. Good CPAP adherence treatment improve the risk of hypertension. This study examined the effect of intervention of medical staff on the adherence of CPAP, heart rate and sleep stages in patients with OSA. Methods All patients diagnosed with OSA and undergoing subsequent CPAP were clinically followed for 12 months to examine CPAP adherence, as well as longitudinal changes in blood pressure, average heartrate of 24 hours and sleep stages. They were divided into 2 groups, Group A: patients who had individual consulted in person by sleep physician and technicians before start using CPAP and Group B: patents who did not have individual consulted. Patients in both groups were consulted by sleep physician and technicians after start CPAP with utilizing tele-monitoring. If the adherence were poor, the patients were recommended to stop CPAP. We provided 3D accelerometer and an optical pulse photoplethysmography to all the patients and analyzed the data of heart rate and sleep stages. Results A total of 30 OSA patients underwent CPAP, were enrolled in the study and assessed for changes in mean heart rate and body weight during the study period. We found a significant reduction in mean heart rate in both group A and B compared with baseline (p<-0.05). The patients aged under 50 years old and whose AHI<20 times/hour have higher ratio of dropout CPAP therapy. There was no significant difference between Group A and Group B on the persistency rate of CPAP therapy. Also, no significant association was found between group A and B on the adherence of CPAP. Conclusion We showed the importance of the effect of intervention of medical staff on the adherence of CPAP and heart rate in patients with OSA the consultation after starting CPAP for a while with utilizing tele-monitoring data would be more effective compared with that in person before start using CPAP. Support (if any):

Hypoxemia raises muscle sympathetic activity but not norepinephrine in resting humans

1989 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 1736-1743 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. Rowell ◽  
D. G. Johnson ◽  
P. B. Chase ◽  
K. A. Comess ◽  
D. R. Seals
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Severe Hypoxemia ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
End Tidal ◽  
Venous Plasma

The experimental objective was to determine whether moderate to severe hypoxemia increases skeletal muscle sympathetic nervous activity (MSNA) in resting humans without increasing venous plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E). In nine healthy subjects (20–34 yr), we measured MSNA (peroneal nerve), venous plasma levels of NE and E, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and end-tidal O2 and CO2 before (control) and during breathing of 1) 12% O2 for 20 min, 2) 10% O2 for 20 min, and 3) 8% O2 for 10 min--in random order. MSNA increased above control in five, six, and all nine subjects during 12, 10, and 8% O2, respectively (P less than 0.01), but only after delays of 12 (12% O2) and 4 min (8 and 10% O2). MSNA (total activity) rose 83 +/- 20, 260 +/- 146, and 298 +/- 109% (SE) above control by the final minute of breathing 12, 10, and 8% O2, respectively. NE did not rise above control at any level of hypoxemia; E rose slightly (P less than 0.05) at one time only with both 10 and 8% O2. Individual changes in MSNA during hypoxemia were unrelated to elevations in heart rate or decrements in blood pressure and end-tidal CO2--neither of which always fell. We conclude that in contrast to some other sympathoexcitatory stimuli such as exercise or cold stress, moderate to severe hypoxemia increases leg MSNA without raising plasma NE in resting humans.

Inhibition of renal sympathetic nervous activity by area postrema stimulation in rabbits

1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (1) ◽  
pp. H91-H99 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Hasser ◽  
D. O. Nelson ◽  
J. R. Haywood ◽  
V. S. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Arterial Pressure ◽  
Nucleus Tractus Solitarius ◽  
Area Postrema ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Consistent Change ◽  
Renal Sympathetic ◽  
Stimulation Of

This study investigated the effect of chemical and electrical stimulation of the area postrema on renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), arterial pressure, and heart rate in urethan-anesthetized rabbits. Electrical stimulation of the area postrema at 2, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 Hz using constant currents of 7.5, 15, and 30 microA (pulse duration = 0.3 ms, train duration = 5 s) produced progressive decreases in RSNA and heart rate, with no consistent change in arterial pressure. To control for electrical activation of fibers of passage in or near the area postrema, L-glutamate was injected into the area postrema using glass micropipettes. Micropressure injection of L-glutamate (10 mM) in volumes of 5-10 nl produced rapid decreases in RSNA averaging 27 +/- 5% (P less than 0.05) accompanied by a small bradycardia. The effects of electrical stimulation of the area postrema, but not the adjacent nucleus tractus solitarius, were totally eliminated by micropressure injection of kainic acid (40 ng in 40 nl) into the area postrema. During continuous electrical stimulation of the area postrema using parameters that produced small decrements in RSNA and heart rate, the slope of the line relating baroreflex inhibition of RSNA to increases in arterial pressure during graded infusions of phenylephrine was significantly enhanced (-6.77 +/- 1.30 vs. -3.81 +/- 0.66% RSNA/mmHg). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of neurons in the area postrema results in an inhibition of RSNA. Furthermore, stimulation of the area postrema augments baroreflex inhibition of RSNA during increases in arterial pressure with phenylephrine.

Intradermal Acupuncture on Shen-Men and Nei-Kuan Acupoints Improves Insomnia in Stroke Patients by Reducing the Sympathetic Nervous Activity: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (06) ◽  
pp. 1013-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung Yeop Lee ◽  
Yong Hyeon Baek ◽  
Seong Uk Park ◽  
Sang Kwan Moon ◽  
Jung Mi Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Acupuncture Group ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Intradermal Acupuncture

This study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial on the effect of intradermal acupuncture on insomnia after stroke. Hospitalized stroke patients with insomnia were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to either a real intradermal acupuncture group (RA group) or a sham acupuncture group (SA group). The RA group received intradermal acupuncture on Shen-Men (He-7) and Nei-Kuan (EH-6) for three days, and the SA group received sham acupuncture on the same points. The effect of acupuncture on insomnia was measured using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) at baseline and three days after treatment. To assess the effect of acupuncture on the autonomic nervous function, the subjects' blood pressure and heart rate variability were monitored. Fifty-two subjects (27 in the RA group and 25 in the SA group) were included in the final analysis. The insomnia-related scales ISI and AIS showed greater improvement of insomnia in the RA group than in the SA group. Moreover, there is a greater reduction of the number of non-dippers and a greater decrease of the LF/HF ratio (heart rate variability) in the RA group than in the SA group. These results indicate that sympathetic hyperactivities were stabilized in the RA group. It can thus be concluded that intradermal acupuncture on Shen-Men and Nei-Kuan is a useful therapeutic method for post stroke-onset insomnia as it reduces sympathetic hyperactivities.

Heart rate as a determinant of the decay rate of the cardiac inotropic response to sympathetic nervous activity

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 1374-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukitaka Masuda ◽  
Matthew N. Levy
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Ventricular Myocardium ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Inotropic Response ◽  
Sympathetic Stimulation ◽  
Junctional Rhythm ◽  
Decay Times ◽  
Inotropic Responses

The cardiac responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation were measured in a series of open-chest, anesthetized dogs. In half the animals, the hearts were in a sinus rhythm; in the remaining animals, the hearts were in an atrioventricular (AV) junctional rhythm. Cocaine markedly prolonged the decay times of the chronotropic responses after cessation of sympathetic stimulation, regardless of the type of rhythm. The decay times of the inotropic responses were only slightly prolonged by cocaine in animals with a sinus rhythm, but the prolongations were pronounced in animals with an AV junctional rhythm. The lower basal heart rate appeared to be more responsible for the greater decay times of the inotropic responses in the animals with an AV junctional rhythm than in those with a sinus rhythm. In a second series of dogs, complete heart block was produced, cocaine was given, AND the hearts were paced at four different frequencies. The mean decay time of the inotropic response to sympathetic stimulation varied inversely AND substantially with the pacing frequency. The change in contraction frequency probably affects the rate of neurotransmitter dissipation from the ventricular myocardium, by altering either the coronary blood flow or the massaging action of the cardiac contractions.

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