Physiological and psychological responses of humans to the index of greenness of an interior space.
The objective of this study was to identify the optimal index of greenness in terms of psychophysiological responses and subjective preference. We recruited 103 adult (51 male, 52 female) participants, who were examined individually in an interior space (lab) setting at Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea. Participants observed plants in the space for 3min per experimental index of greenness (5%, 20%, 50%, and 80%). During this period, heart rate variability (HRV) and electroencephalographic (EEG) physiological responses were measured, and the participant's preference for index of greenness and subjective index of greenness was determined via surveys. HRV values were normal, and not significantly different, except that male participants showed higher mean variability between cardiac NN intervals and greater autonomic activity than female participants (P<0.05). EEG data were not significantly different, except that female participants had a significantly higher mean amplitude at the left occipital (O1) electrode than male participants (P<0.01). Subjectively, participants preferred the 50% index of greenness the most, though they consistently reported the subjective index of greenness to be ∼15% higher than the actual level. We conclude that given a limited interior space, even a small amount of greenery may exert a relaxing effect on people.
Graduate School of Environmental Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea.
Ji-Young
JY
Choi
Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea. Electronic address: sapark42@konkuk.ac.kr.
Sin-Ae
SA
Park
Graduate School of Environmental Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea.
Soo-Jin
SJ
Jung
Graduate School of Environmental Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea.
Ji-Young
JY
Lee
Graduate School of Environmental Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea; Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea.
Ki-Cheol
KC
Son
Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea.
Youn-Joo
YJ
An
Department of Environmental Planning, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea.
Sang-Woo
SW
Lee
D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000523:psychology; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010944:Plants; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
Electroencephalography; Green space; Heart rate variability; Horticultural therapy; Socio horticulture