Physiological effects of wood on humans: a review

Ikei, Harumi; Song, Chorong; Miyazaki, Y.

doi:10.1007/s10086-016-1597-9

Cited by 71 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Previous studies examining stress-related psychophysiological responses to wood in the built environment Many studies have examined the psychophysiological effects of exposing building occupants to wood, as detailed in recent reviews (Burnard & Kutnar, 2015;Ikei, Song, & Miyazaki, 2017;Nyrud & Bringslimark, 2010). Previous studies demonstrated individuals had varied psychophysiological responses to visual exposure to interiors with wood (sometimes compared to other materials) using a variety of indicators.…”

Section: Supporting Recovery From Stress In the Built Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human stress responses in office-like environments with wood furniture

Burnard

Kutnar

2019

Building Research & Information

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Stress is a major public health concern and work stress is a contributor to both acute and chronic stress. Moreover, most people spend the majority of their time indoors. It follows that the design of office spaces and other interior environments should consider the health impacts of individuals in terms of psychophysiological responses to stress. In this way, buildings can act as an environmental intervention to compliment social and therapeutic interventions to stress. In this study, human stress responses were compared in experimental office settings with and without wood. The hypothesis was that the office setting with wood furniture would reduce stress responses and improve stress recovery as indicated by salivary cortisol concentration. The within-subjects experiment revealed that overall stress levels were lower in the office-like environment with oak wood than the control room, but there was no detectable difference in stress levels between the office-like environment with walnut wood and the control room. Stress recovery was not found to differ between either environment, possibly because duration of the experiment was too short or that not enough samples were taken during the recovery period.

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Section: Supporting Recovery From Stress In the Built Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human stress responses in office-like environments with wood furniture

Burnard

Kutnar

2019

Building Research & Information

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“…6d, p < 0.01). With regard to "uneven-flat" feeling, hinoki, which was perceived as "slightly to moderately 6 Subjective feeling measured by the modified semantic differential method after touching hinoki or marble materials. a "Comfortable" feeling, b "relaxed" feeling, c "natural" feeling, d "warm-cold" feeling, e "uneven-flat" feeling, f "dry-moist" feeling, g "softhard" feeling.…”

Section: Psychological Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wood is a familiar, natural material that is used in houses and furniture, and it is empirically known to have a relaxing effect on humans [6]. A review outlining the current state of research regarding the physiological effects of wood-derived stimulation on humans [6] reported that data on the physiological effects of olfactory stimulation have continued to accumulate, following the development of physiological measurement technology in recent years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A review outlining the current state of research regarding the physiological effects of wood-derived stimulation on humans [6] reported that data on the physiological effects of olfactory stimulation have continued to accumulate, following the development of physiological measurement technology in recent years. The oldest report, published in 1992, focused on the physiological effect of olfactory stimulation with Taiwan cypress oil [7], and several other reports have been published since.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

2018

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This study aimed to clarify the physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (hereinafter called "hinoki") (Chamaecyparis obtusa) wood with the palm of the right hand on brain activity and autonomic nervous activity. Twenty-two female university students (mean age 21.1 ± 0.2 years) participated in the study. As an indicator of brain activity, oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations were measured in the left/right prefrontal cortex using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used as an indicator of autonomic nervous activity. The high-frequency (HF) component of HRV, which reflected parasympathetic nervous activity, and the low-frequency (LF)/HF ratio, which reflected sympathetic nervous activity, were measured. Plate (300 × 300 mm) of uncoated hinoki was used as tactile stimulation. Marble was used as a control material. After sitting at rest with their eyes closed, the participants touched the materials for 90 s with their eyes still closed. The results showed that tactile stimulation with hinoki significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentration in the left prefrontal cortex and increased ln(HF) reflected parasympathetic nervous activity compared with marble. In conclusion, our study showed that touching hinoki wood with the palm calms prefrontal cortex activity and increases parasympathetic nervous activity, thereby inducing physiological relaxation.

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“…For exposures without ground contact (Class 3 according to EN 350 [1]), it is possible to use hydrophobization in the form of a coating [12]. Hydrophobic coatings have the advantage of easier application and lower cost compared to thermal treatment, acetylation, or plasma treatment, and they also preserve the original appearance of the wood, thereby positively influencing human perception [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of Hydrophobic Coatings in Protecting Oak Wood Surfaces during Accelerated Weathering

et al. 2017

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Abstract:The durability of transparent coatings applied to an oak wood exterior is relatively low due to its anatomic structure and chemical composition. Enhancement of the protection of oak wood against weathering using transparent hydrophobic coatings is presented in this study. Oak wood surfaces were modified using UV-stabilizers, hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS), and ZnO and TiO 2 nanoparticles before the application of a commercial hydrophobic topcoat. A transparent oil-based coating was used as a control coating system. The artificial weathering test lasted 6 weeks and colour, gloss, and contact angle changes were regularly evaluated during this period. The changes in the microscopic structure were studied with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results proved limited durability against weathering of both tested hydrophobic coatings. The formation of micro-cracks causing the leaching of degraded wood compounds and discolouration of oak wood were observed after 1 or 3 weeks of the weathering test. Until then, an oil-based coating film had protected the wood sufficiently, but after 6 weeks the wood was fully defoliated to its non-homogenous thickness, which was caused by the presence of large oak vessels, and by the effects of specific oak tannins. Using transparent hydrophobic coatings can prolong the service life of the exteriors of wood products by decreasing their moisture content. Without proper construction protection against rainwater, the hydrophobic coating itself cannot guarantee the preservation of the natural appearance of wood exteriors.

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Physiological effects of wood on humans: a review

Cited by 71 publications

References 48 publications

Human stress responses in office-like environments with wood furniture

Human stress responses in office-like environments with wood furniture

Physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

Efficacy of Hydrophobic Coatings in Protecting Oak Wood Surfaces during Accelerated Weathering

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