Comparative study of the physiological and psychological effects of forest and urban auditory stimulus on humans

Abstract

Demand for parks and green space for physical and mental relaxation has increased dramatically during and after the COVID−19 Pandemic in many countries. In order to understand nature and forest experience with human health, we conducted multi-disciplinary research to examine if different auditory stimuli will cause the change of healthy people's physiological and psychological effects, especially under typical forest therapy activity---focused-attention meditation (FAM). In this study, we recorded the data of heart rate, blood pressure as well as brainwave activities as physiological indices. We used a modified Semantic Differential Method (SD) to investigate participants' subjective feelings on different sound stimuli. A significant increase in heart rate was found during meditation under a street sound auditory background. The theta band power reduced significantly compared to that under other sound stimulation. The highest feeling scores on the level of comfort, relaxation, and nature showed with the presence of a natural sound environment. In conclusion, the natural sound background of the forest can make people more relax physically and psychologically during meditation.