title: The Efficacy of a Brief Nature Sound Intervention on Muscle Tension, Pulse Rate, and Self-Reported Stress: Nature Contact Micro-Break in an Office or Waiting Room.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a growing recognition that environmental design impacts health and well-being. Nature contact is a design feature or exposure that is especially important in public health and healthcare. To date, there are limited findings on the impact of nature sounds.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This experimental study was designed to examine the effect of nature sounds on physiological and psychological stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomized into one of three groups-silence (n = 9), nature sound (n = 17), and classical music (n = 14)-and listened to the assigned sound for 15 min in an office or waiting room-like environment. Pre- and postdata were collected including muscle tension (electromyogram), pulse rate, and self-reported stress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the exception of pulse rate, there were no statistical differences in baseline or demographics among groups. A paired t-test by group showed a decrease in muscle tension, pulse rate, and self-reported stress in the nature group and no significant differences in the control or the classical music groups. The significant reduction in muscle tension occurred at least by 7 min of listening to the nature sound.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the potential benefit of even very brief (less than 7 min) exposure to nature sounds. Brief nature sound "booster breaks" are a promising area for future research with important practical implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA largo.wight@unf.edu.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Largo-Wight
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: W William
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D009146:Music; D057566:Self Report; D013016:Sound; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: evidenced-based environmental design; nature contact; office; public health; stress reduction; waiting room; wellness by design