Objectives: Exposure to nature or to green space has positive mental health benefits. Closing of parks and green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced options for mental health and well-being benefits and could have a greater impact on vulnerable populations, especially the elderly. The present study, therefore, explores the physiopsychological impacts of indirect contact with nature, using forest imagery, on the brain activity and autonomic nervous systems of elderly people.
Study design: A within-subject design experiment was used.
Methods: Thirty-four participants aged 82.9 ± 0.78 years were asked to look at bamboo and urban images for 2 min. During the visual stimulation, α relative waves were measured using electroencephalography as an indicator of brain activity. Heart rate variability and skin conductance (SC) responses were utilized as indicators of arousal. Afterward, psychological responses were evaluated using the semantic differential and the Profile of Mood States questionnaires.
Results: Visual stimulation with bamboo image induced a significant increase in α relative waves and parasympathetic nervous activity and a significant decrease in SC. In addition, a significant increase in perceptions of "comfortable," "relaxed," "cheerful," and "vigorous" feelings was observed.
Conclusions: Indirect contact with nature enhances the physiological and psychological conditions of the elderly. Findings can be used to guide the new design, renewal, and modification of the living environments of the elderly and those who are unable to get outside.
Keywords: bamboo imagery; forest therapy; heart rate variability; mood; relaxation; senior housing; α wave activity.