Physiological and Psychological Effects of Watching Videos of Different Durations Showing Urban Bamboo Forests with Varied Structures

Abstract

This study illustrated the physiological and psychological effects of watching videos of different durations showing bamboo forests with varied structures. Physiological indicators, including EEG (electroencephalogram), blood pressure, skin conductance, and pulse, were monitored in 180 Chinese university students (mean age: 20.72 ± 2.56 years) while they were watching bamboo videos. Before and after watching the videos, their psychological indicators, including positive and negative moods, were measured using the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. After watching the bamboo videos of different durations, all of the physiological indicators responded to the stimulation after only 1 min. The indicators showed different trends at 1, 3 and 5 min. EEG decreased and then was maintained at a stable level after 1 min, and the high β, low β, and α waves had no significant differences between 1, 3 and 5 min. Blood pressure dropped to a stable state after 3 min, and the decline was significantly different greater after 3 min than after 1 min. Skin conductance increased for 1 to 5 min, and it did not stabilize after a long time (5 min). Pulse decreased after 1 min but increased after 5 min. After watching the videos with bamboo of varying structures, the physiological and psychological indicators showed significantly different changes. Skin conductance significantly increased (mean value: 6.78%), and the amount of sweat was more effectively reduced, thereby reducing tension, when the students viewed videos of sympodial bamboo forests compared with monopodial bamboo forests. Bamboo forests with a higher canopy density (0.83–0.85) could significantly decrease α waves (mean value: 1.50 Hz), relaxing the human body. High β and low β waves showed greater decreases, with tension reduced more effectively, when bamboo forests with a low tilt ratio (< 1.5%) were viewed. Bamboo forests with neat undergrowth could have more beneficial physiological and psychological effects on the human body.

An Empirical Study of the Restoration Potential of Urban Deciduous Forest Space to Youth

“…The factors that affect neural activity are diverse, and in the minute-by-minute changes in EEG display ( Figure 6 ), both the experimental and control groups produced different degrees of change one minute after environmental stimulation. This outcome is consistent with the findings of Wang Yu Xi et al [ 49 ], who observed responses in subjects’ EEG one minute after they viewed a nature video; several studies have found that changes in EEG waves reach stability within five minutes regardless whether live or video stimulation is used [ 49 ], but in our study of minute-by-minute changes in EEG parameters, there was a manifestation of unstable changes in each emotional parameter after five minutes, which may be related to the interference of other factors in real-word stimulations. However, this paper is reluctant to draw conclusive inferences from the limited data available, and more research is required to determine the causes of these discrepancies.…”

“…EEG is used to record changes in electrical waves during brain activity [ 49 ]. It is recorded using neuroharmonic EEG biofeedback techniques [ 50 , 51 ] and widely used as emotional feedback in restorative research [ 52 ]; it is noninvasive to humans.…”

Vibrotactile Captioning of Musical Effects in Audio-Visual Media as an Alternative for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People: An EEG Study

“…No se encuentra el origen de la referencia.. Neutral images are used to reduce their emotional impact and, thus, make the measurement of the music and vibrotactile effects clearer, according to [41] [42].…”

“…Two videos of one-minute length were created, based on sequences of images that were unassociated with a dramatic action, given that images must be kept as neutral as possible to allow the measurement of the music and vibrotactile effects, according to [41] [42]. One video displayed aerial images of cereal fields at sunset.…”

Effects of Variations in Color and Organ of Color Expression in Urban Ornamental Bamboo Landscapes on the Physiological and Psychological Responses of College Students

“…Bamboo is commonly used for urban landscape greening in Oriental gardens [29]. In recent years, researchers have found that walking in bamboo forests can relieve tension, reduce depression and decrease blood pressure [30,31]. However, in addition to bamboo forests, there are many small bamboo species could be used as ornamental materials in urban greening.…”