宮崎 良文

©2013, Recently, there is a movement to use forest roads not only as for forest management but also for multipurposes such as resting and healing. This study aims to suggest how to use forest roads as a place to enhance and improve one’s health. The level of exercise is difficult to measure directly when they walked on forest road. Therefore, the study used the relationship between heart rate and walking speed depended on playing speed of music as an indirect measure. The range of heart rate that are effective in improving one’s health is called as “target heart rate” and the target heart rate is 60% to 80% of maximum heart rate (calculated by 220-age). Through this the study confirmed optimal walking speed that would maintain the target heart rate. Furthermore, it suggests music, who’s playing speed corresponds with the optimal walking speed for target heart rate. By applying the result of the experiment, the study is able to suggest various possibilities to maintain the target heart rate, with out using heartbeat measuring tools, by listening to the music.

The physiological effects of viewing rose flowers on medical staff were examined to investigate heart rate variability, the pulse rate, and questionnaire responses. Subjects were 15 female medical staff, who looked at fresh rose flowers for 4 minutes. Thirty unscented pink roses (Rosa, Dekora) were arranged in a cylindrical glass vase, and the control was no roses. Physiological measurements were recorded during visual stimuli and control (no flowers) presentation. The results were as follows: (1) the HF component was significantly higher, and pulse rate was significantly lower, (2) "comfortable", and "relaxed" feelings and the mood state were significantly better, and state anxiety was significantly lower while viewing fresh rose flowers compared to the control.

The forest environment affects humans via the five senses, providing stimulation of various kinds such as scenery, the smell of wood, the sound of streams or the rustle of leaves, and the feel of the surface of trees and leaves. Many laboratory experiments have been conducted to elucidate the physiological effects of sensory inputs in forest environments. In this chapter, we will initially examine some non-invasive physiological methods that can be applied in a laboratory study to assess physiological changes. Recent progress in technology has enabled the precise non-invasive investigation of physiological responses. Various measurement methods will be shown for each physiological function. We will then provide an overview of studies on the effects of certain elements of the forest environment within a laboratory setting. Studies have revealed that the components of a forest environment, even if as components of stimulation, may have a positive effect on human physiology. © 2013 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

The purpose of this chapter is to clarify the physiological relaxation effect of a forest environment using field tests. We conducted field experiments in 35 forests across Japan. The subjects were twelve male university students at each location (420 in total age range 21.8 ± 1.6 years). On the first day, 6 subjects were sent to a forest area, and the others to a city area. On the second day, each group was sent to the other area. The subjects walked (for 16 ± 5 min) around their assigned areas, and sat on chairs viewing the landscapes of their assigned areas (for 14 ± 2 min). Salivary cortisol, blood pressure, pulse rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) were used as indices. Measurements were taken at the place of accommodation in the morning, before and after walking, and before and after viewing at their assigned field areas. The R-R interval was also measured during the walking and viewing periods. The results show that forest environments promote lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity than city environments. These results will contribute to the development of a research field dedicated to forest-based therapy. © 2013 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

In modern urbanized societies, humans are exposed to too much artificial stimulation, which has negative effects on human health. With increasing interests in health and nature, recent attention has focused on the health benefits of forests. However, little scientific data has been available on the health benefits of forests. Recent evidencebased studies in Japan may provide valuable scientific data and methodology to explore the health benefits of forest environments. Therefore, in this chapter, we outlined the recent trends in research and attempts to utilize the health benefits of forests in Japan. On research trends, a part of our recent indoor and outdoor studies were briefly introduced. Both indoor and outdoor studies provide important data for examining not only the effects forest environments on human body, but also the mechanism by which contact with forests generates the health-related effects. And then we illustrated recent development and systematization of the forest therapy project and the forest therapy station plan in Japan. © 2013 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

To better understand how fragrance may enhance human health, this study examined psychophysiological responses to Japanese plum blossom fragrance. Although previous studies used essential oils or fragrance components, the present study measured the effects of floral scent naturally diffused by the plant itself to simulate the way we generally experience natural scent in everyday life. Subjects were Japanese males (n = 26), and the data collected included cerebral and autonomic nervous system activities, semantic differential (SD) scale, and profile of mood states (POMS). Exposure to the fragrance significantly activated the sympathetic nervous system and the cerebral areas related to movement, speech, and memory. SD scale and POMS results showed the fragrance evoked cheerful, exciting, and active images and changed mood states by enhancing vigor while suppressing feelings of depression. These findings indicate that contact with a floral scent such as plum blossom fragrance can improve mood states and may foster the brain functions of memory, speech, and movement, potentially leading to improvements in emotional health, depression, and memory disorders.

Objective: The objective of this study is to trace short-term changes in mood and heart function in elderly individuals in response to exposure to different landscaped spaces. Background: Nineteen elderly but cognitively intact residents of an assisted living facility participated in the study. They were exposed to three landscaped spaces: a Japanese style garden, an herb garden, and a simple landscaped area planted with a single tree. Methods: To assess the effect of different landscaped spaces on older adults, individuals were monitored for mood and cardiac function in response to short exposures to spaces. Mood state was assessed using Profile of Mood States (POMS) before and after viewing the spaces. Cardiac output was assessed using a portable electrocardiograph monitor before and during the viewing. Results: We found that the structured gardens evoked greater responses in all outcome measures. Scores on the POMS improved after observation of the two organized gardens compared to responses to the simple landscaped space with a single tree. During the observation period, heart rate was significantly lower in the Japanese garden than in the other environments, and sympathetic function was significantly lower as well. Conclusions: We conclude that exposure to organized gardens can affect both the mood and cardiac physiology of elderly individuals. Our data further suggest that these effects can differ depending on the types of landscape to which an individual is exposed.

Perilla is a useful pharmaceutical and food product and is empirically consumed by humans. However, its properties have not been evaluated extensively. In this review, we summarize the progress made in research, focusing on the bioactivities of perilla. There are many in vitro and animal studies on the cytostatic activity and antiallergic effects, respectively, of perilla and its constituents. However, its influence on humans remains unclear. Hence, investigating and clarifying the physiological effects of perilla and its constituents on humans are imperative in the future to adhere to the ideals of evidence-based medicine.

Background: This study aimed to present normative reference values of heart rate variability and salivary alpha-amylase in a healthy young male population with a particular focus on their distribution and reproducibility. Methods: The short-term heart rate variability of 417 young healthy Japanese men was studied. Furthermore, salivary alpha-amylase was measured in 430 men. The average age of the subjects were 21.9 years with standard deviation of 1.6 years. Interindividual variations in heart rate variability indices and salivary alpha-amylase levels were plotted as histograms. Data are presented as the mean, median, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, skewness, kurtosis, and fifth and 95th percentiles of each physiological index. Results: Mean recorded values were heart period 945.85 ms, log-transformed high frequency component 9.84 ln-ms(2), log-transformed low frequency component 10.42 ln-ms(2), log-transformed low frequency to high frequency ratio 0.58 ln-ratio, standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval 27.17 ms and root mean square of successive difference 37.49 ms. The mean value of raw salivary alpha-amylase was 17.48 U/mL, square root salivary alpha-amylase 3.96 sqrt[U/mL] and log-transformed salivary alpha-amylase 2.65 ln[U/mL]. Log-transformed heart rate variability indices exhibited almost symmetrical distributions; however, time-domain indices of heart rate variability (standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval and root mean square of successive difference) exhibited right-skewed (positive skewness) distributions. A considerable right-skewed distribution was observed for raw salivary alpha-amylase. Logarithmic transformation improved the distribution of salivary alpha-amylase, although square root transformation was insufficient. The day-to-day reproducibility of these indices was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Intraclass correlation coefficients of most heart rate variability and salivary indices were approximately 0.5 to 0.6. Intraclass correlation coefficients of raw salivary markers were approximately 0.6, which was similar to those of heart rate variability; however, log transformation of the salivary markers did not considerably improve their reproducibility. Correlations between sympathetic indicators of heart rate variability and salivary alpha-amylase were not observed. Conclusion: Because the sample population examined in this study involved limited age and gender variations, the present results were independent of these factors and were indicative of pure interindividual variation.

©2011, With increasing interest in health promotion and quality of life, growing attention has been focused on the beneficial effects of urban green area. However, very few evidence-based approaches have been conducted on the health-related benefits of urban greenery. Therefore, this study examined the health-related benefits of green areas using physiological and psychological indices to obtain evidence-based data on these benefits. Twenty male university students were selected as subjects. Data were collected when participants viewed landscapes in a green area or an urban area for fifteen minutes. This research was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of School of Medicine, Chungnam National University. Physiological data in the green area revealed significantly decreased heart rates, significantly increased high-frequency value of heart rate variability, an index of parasympathetic activity, and reduced salivary cortisol concentration, a stress hormone, compared to the urban area. Psychological tests showed the green area significantly reduced the negative mood state and psychological symptoms, and significantly increased the positive mood state. Our data provided evidence for the health-related benefits of green areas, and the findings of this study support that green areas can play a critical role in health promotion for urban residents, by positively affecting autonomic nervous and endocrinal activities.

To clarify the relaxing effects of a 5-min stay in a hospital's rooftop forest on elderly patients requiring care. This was a within-subject, cross-sectional study. The participants were 30 elderly female patients requiring help in walking, aged 81.2±6.4 (mean±SD). A simplified emotional 7-point rating scale from -3 to 3 for 5 pairs of emotions, which was derived from the two-question Whooley Depression Screen, was used as a subjective indicator. The experimental areas were the rooftop forest that covered an area of 122 m(2) on the rooftop of a four-story health service facility and an outdoor car park area (as the control area). The participants were instructed to sit still in a wheelchair and view the scenery for 5 min in each experimental area and were then assessed. Data from the participants during exposure to the rooftop forest were compared with those during exposure to the control area. First, 15 participants moved to the rooftop forest from the preroom, and the other 15 moved to the outdoor car park area, and then they moved to the other site to eliminate any order effect. In the rooftop forest, the mean scores of the simplified emotional rating were 1.70 (1.17 for control) for "hopeful", 1.70 (1.17) for "interest in doing things", 1.53 (1.10) for "enjoyment", 1.67 (1.17) for "calm", and 2.03 (1.30) for "secure". The scores were all significantly higher than those in the control (p<0.01). It was demonstrated that a visit to the rooftop forest induced a significant subjective relaxing effect in elderly female patients requiring care.

To provide scientific evidence of the health benefits of forest therapy in terms of physiological indices. Design: Within-group comparison made by conducting field experiments. Participants: Forty-eight young male adults. Field experiments were conducted at four local sites in Japan. At each site, 12 adults participated in a three-day experiment. To compare physiological reactions between two environmental stimuli, experiments were conducted in forest and urban environments. The participants were randomly assigned to visit either the forest or an urban setting and were instructed to view the landscape in a seated position. The physiological reactions of each participant were recorded before, during, and after viewing the stimuli, and the differences in physiological indices were compared between the two groups. Physiological data revealed that participants demonstrated significantly different reactions in the forest and urban environments. Analysis of heart rate revealed that participants showed a significantly higher ln(HF) and a lower ln(LF/HF) in the forest environment than in the urban environment. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse rate, and salivary cortisol concentration significantly decreased in the forest environment compared with the urban environment. Subjective evaluation data were generally in accordance with physiological reactions, showing significantly higher scores for "comfortable, natural, soothed, and refreshed feelings" in the forest environment than in the urban environment. This study provided very clear scientific evidence of the physiological effects of forest therapy. Our data indicate that forest therapy can decrease stress and facilitate physiological relaxation.

In the present study, we aimed to clarify the psychological effects of shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) by conducting field experiments. The experiments were conducted in 19 forested and urban areas in Japan during the 2007-2010 period. Twelve male students participated at each of the 19 areas (a total of 228 persons). Subjective ratings of "comfortable-uncomfortable", "soothing-stimulating", and "natural-artificial" feelings were conducted after each of the participants had viewed the scenery for 15 min in the forested and urban areas. A postviewing questionnaire on "stressed-refreshed" feelings was also administered and the Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire was employed to assess six aspects of mood before and after viewing the sceneries. The forest environments were perceived as significantly more "comfortable", "soothing", and "natural" than the urban environments after viewing the sceneries. The score for "refreshed feeling" was also significantly higher in the forested areas. The score for the "vigor" subscale of POMS was significantly higher after viewing the scenery in the forested areas, whereas the scores for negative feelings such as "tension-anxiety", "depression-dejection", "anger-hostility", "fatigue", and "confusion" significantly decreased. Collectively, these results suggest that the forest environments have significant beneficial and relaxing effects on human's moods compared with the urban environments.

Five million years has passed since a subset of primates recognizably became human. Because we have already spent more than 99.99% of our evolutionary history in natural environments, it is thought that we are essentially adaptive to nature. However, we live in a society characterized by urbanization and artificiality, despite our physiological functions still being adapted to nature. We conducted experiments involving 420 subjects at 35 different forests throughout Japan. As a result, these subjects sitting in natural surroundings showed decreases in the following physiological indices compared with the urban control group: 12.4% decrease in cortisol level, 7.0% decrease in sympathetic nervous activity, 1.4% decrease in systolic blood pressure, and 5.8% decrease in heart rate. This shows that stressful states can be relieved by forest therapy. It should also be noted that parasympathetic nerve activity increased by 55.0%, indicating a relaxed state. The results of walking experiments were also similar. Li et al. demonstrated that immune functions are enhanced by forest therapy. Middle-aged employees volunteered to participate in these experiments. NK (natural killer cells) activity, as an indicator of immune function, increased by 56% on the second day and returned to normal levels. A significant increase of 23% was maintained for 1 month even after these subjects returned to urban life, clearly illustrating the preventive medical effects of nature therapy. We expect nature therapy to play an increasingly important role in preventive medicine in the future.

The physiological effects of walking in Shinjuku Gyoen were examined by investigating heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV). Subjective feelings of being "comfortable," "natural," and "calm" were also assessed by a questionnaire. The subjects included 18 male university students aged 20-23 years (mean±SD: 21.0±0.8 years). Physiological measurements were recorded while the subjects walked a predetermined course in Shinjuku Gyoen and around Shinjuku station (control) for 14min. The results were as follows: (1) the power of the In HF component of the HRV was significantly higher, (2) heart rate was significantly lower, and (3) "comfortable," "natural," and "calm" feelings were significantly higher in the subjects while walking through Shinjuku Gyoen than while walking around Shinjuku station.

©2011, The aim of this study is to clarify the psychological effects of walking in the urban forest and to examine<br /> how the effects differ in accordance with individual personality. The study subjects comprised 18 male Japanese<br /> university students (21.0±0.8 years old). These subjects were instructed to walk predetermined 20-min courses<br /> in the urban forest and the city (control). Three questionnaires (POMS, STAI-S, and SCL-90) were administered<br /> to assess the subjects&#039; psychological responses. The KG’s Daily Life Questionnaire was used to examine the<br /> subject&#039;s personalities for presence of the Type A behavior pattern. The study found that walking in the urban<br /> forest improved the participants’ positive mood and decreased their negative mood, anxiety, and other negative<br /> mental symptoms. Moreover, Type B subjects showed a bigger change than Type A subjects on the SCL-90’s<br /> obsessive and compulsive scale. Our results supported the premise that walking in the urban forest has relaxing<br /> effects, and that these effects can differ in accordance with the subject&#039;s personality characteristics.

The present study aimed to clarify the relationship between psychological responses to forest and urban environmental settings and the physical variables that characterize these environments, by examining the psychological responses of 168 subjects to their physical environment. Field experiments were conducted in 14 forests and 14 urban areas across Japan. The semantic differential (SD) method was employed in which a questionnaire was administered to subjects prior to their walks in the forests and urban areas. In addition, the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire was administered before and after the walks, as well as before and after they sat and viewed the forest and urban landscapes. The environmental variables measured were air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat, wind velocity, and two indices of thermal comfort [predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD)]. Responses to the SD questionnaire indicated that compared to urban settings, forest settings are perceived as being significantly more enjoyable, friendly, natural, and sacred. The POMS measures of tension and anxiety (T-A), depression and dejection (D). anger and hostility (A-H), vigor (V), confusion (C), fatigue (F), and total mood disturbance (TMD) showed significant differences between the forests and urban areas. These results strongly support the suggestion that forest settings have attention restoration effects. The psychological responses to physical environments were also significantly related to air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat, wind velocity, PMV, and PPD. The results of this study might be useful in designing restoration environments in urban areas. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

出現から500万年が経過したヒトは，その経過時間の99.9％以上を自然環境下で過ごしてきた。我々は自然環境下で進化して，現代文明下に住む今の人間となったため，<br /> その体は自然対-応用にできているのである。さらにテクノストレスという言葉に代表されるように環境の人工化は今も急速に進んでおり気付きにくいが常に緊張を強いられるストレス状態に置かれている。<br /> このような状況ぐ，我々は自然セラピーに代表される自然来の刺激を受けたとき，本来の人としてのあるべき姿に近づき，リラックスしそれを快適ざとして感じているのである。<br /> 論理的な思考を介することなく，直観的に非論理的に感じとる。その過程は言葉では表現できないため，生理指標が重要な役割を果たす。<br /> その生理的リラックス効果に関するデータを基盤として，人と自然のシンクロ状態を科学的に明らかにしようとする「自然セラピー」が．今，話題を集めている。<br /> 本稿においては，自然セラピーの概念．生理的評価法，フィールド実験データならびに自然由来の代表的な化学物質の総称であるフイトンチッドの室内実験データ等を中心に紹介する。

目的<BR>    病院屋上森林が医療従事者に及ぼす主観的リラックス効果、および特性不安による影響を明らかにすることを目的とした。<BR>方法<BR>    参加者は医療従事者である男性16名（37.1±10.6才）、女性56名（43.5±11.2才・平均±標準偏差）とした。女性を、State Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form JYZ（STAI-Form JYZ）特性不安により中～低不安群32名、および高不安群24名の2群に分けた。実験場所は、医療機関4階屋上に造成した屋上森林122m²とし、同施設に隣接した屋外駐車場170m²を対照とした。参加者は1名ずつ前室、屋上森林および屋外駐車場の3カ所において各5分間座観後、STAI-Form JYZ状態不安およびProfile of Mood States（POMS）を3回計測した。同一被験者の屋上森林および対照における測定値を比較した。順番の影響を除外するために、男女別に年齢をマッチさせたA班B班に分け、屋上森林および対照を巡る順番を逆とした。<BR>結果と考察<BR>    屋上森林座観後のSTAI-Form JYZ状態不安は、男性34.6±8.1（対照43.4±8.4）点、女性36.3±10.2（45.8±8.8）点となり有意に低下（p＜0.01）した。特性不安の中～低不安群は状態不安の「非常に低い」状態へ（対照「低い」）、特性不安の高不安群は状態不安の「低い」状態へ（対照「普通」）、有意に低下（p＜0.01）した。屋上森林座観後におけるPOMS T得点は、男性において「疲労」（39.0±7.5：対照41.1±7.0）の低下（p＜0.01）、「活気」（43.3±10.4：37.9±8.1）の上昇（p＜0.01）が、女性においては「緊張-不安」（39.7±7.7：43.7±8.8）、「抑うつ-落込み」（43.5±6.3：45.4±7.6）および「疲労」（40.7±7.3：43.6±8.5）の低下（p＜0.01）、「活気」（46.2±10.8：38.9±8.0）の上昇（p＜0.01）が認められた。視覚的に表すと、屋上森林座観後には、高不安群において暗く消極的な心理状態を表す「谷型」が消失し、中～低不安群においては明るく積極的な心理状態を表す「氷山型」が出現した。<BR>結論<BR>    病院屋上森林は医療従事者に有意な主観的リラックス効果をもたらし、その効果には、特性不安による影響が認められた。

Objective: To provide scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of forest bathing as a natural therapy by investigating its physiological benefits using biological indicators in outdoor settings. Study design: Within-group comparisons were used to examine psychological and physiological responses to exposure to real forest and urban environments. Methods: Young Japanese male adults participated in a 3-day, 2-night field experiment. Physiological responses as well as self-reported psychological responses to forest and urban environmental stimuli were measured in real settings. The results of each indicator were compared against each environmental stimulus. Results: Heart rate variability analysis indicated that the forest environment significantly increased parasympathetic nervous activity and significantly suppressed sympathetic activity of participants compared with the urban environment. Salivary cortisol level and pulse rate decreased markedly in the forest setting compared with the urban setting. In psychological tests, forest bathing significantly increased scores of positive feelings and significantly decreased scores of negative feelings after stimuli compared with the urban stimuli. Conclusion: Physiological data from this field experiment provide important scientific evidence on the health benefits of forest bathing. The results support the concept that forest bathing has positive effects on physical and mental health, indicating that it can be effective for health promotion. Despite the small sample size in this study, a very clear tendency towards positive physiological and psychological outcomes in forests was observed. (C) 2010 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study examined the influences of the oral ingestion of casein hydrolysate from bovine milk at rest physiologically and psychologically. Eleven male university students were given a casein hydrolysate drink (H) or a maltitol drink as a control (C) in a crossover study. Just before and one hour after ingestion of each drink, the total-hemoglobin (tHb) concentrations at ten points of the prefrontal cortex to evaluate cerebral activity, and heart rate variability (HRV) to evaluate autonomic nerve activity through spectral analysis were measured as physiological indicators. The Japanese version of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory-state anxiety (STAI-s) score was also used, as a psychological indicator. In comparison between H and C ingestion, a significant difference is observed only in tHb concentrations at one of ten points. At this point, the change in tHb concentration was lower after H ingestion compared to C ingestion. And in comparison between before and after ingestion of each drink, a significant increase in tHb concentration at two points after C ingestion, a significant increase in parasympathetic activity and decrease in sympathetic activity after H ingestion, and a significant decrease in STAI-s score in H ingestion were observed. These results suggest that ingestion of the casein hydrolysate may keep prefrontal cortex activity stable while maltitol ingestion partially increases the activity. Moreover, there is a possibility that casein hydrolysate might decrease sympathetic activity, increase parasympathetic activity, and lower anxiety. We conclude that the bovine milk casein hydrolysate may have more relaxing effects than maltitol. Physiol Anthropol 29(3): 103-108, 2010 http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/jpa2 [DOI: 10.2114/jpa2.29.103]

Although a time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy (TRS) system is difficult to make a measurement into 10 s or less at the moment, the system has a great advantage that it measures absolute values of hemoglobin concentrations. In the present study, using a device equipped with a TRS system, we examined individual differences in changes in cerebral oxygenated, deoxygenated, and total hemoglobin concentrations during two repetitive executions of a cognitive task, and compared these with data from our previous studies performed with a CWS system. As a result, large individual differences were also observed in changes in the cerebral hemoglobin concentrations during a cognitive task in this study using a TRS system. We therefore conclude that large individual differences observed in changes in the cerebral hemoglobin concentrations, during a cognitive task in our previous studies using a continuous wave near-infrared spectroscopy (CWS) system would probably be universal, although a CWS system includes the limitation that the absolute value is unable to be measured in the system.

This paper reviews previous research on the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing), and presents new results from field experiments conducted in 24 forests across Japan. The term Shinrin-yoku was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in 1982, and can be defined as making contact with and taking in the atmosphere of the forest. In order to clarify the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku, we conducted field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. In each experiment, 12 subjects (280 total ages 21.7 ± 1.5 year) walked in and viewed a forest or city area. On the first day, six subjects were sent to a forest area, and the others to a city area. On the second day, each group was sent to the other area as a cross-check. Salivary cortisol, blood pressure, pulse rate, and heart rate variability were used as indices. These indices were measured in the morning at the accommodation facility before breakfast and also both before and after the walking (for 16 ± 5 min) and viewing (for 14 ± 2 min). The R-R interval was also measured during the walking and viewing periods. The results show that forest environments promote lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity than do city environments. These results will contribute to the development of a research field dedicated to forest medicine, which may be used as a strategy for preventive medicine. © 2009 The Japanese Society for Hygiene.

"Shinrin-yoku", which can be defined as "taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing", has been receiving increasing attention in Japan in recent years for its capacity to provide relaxation and reduce stress. Since 2004, the authors of this paper have been involved in an investigation designed to ascertain the physiological effects of "Shinrin-yoku" within the framework of the "Therapeutic Effects of Forests" project. We have conducted physiological experiments, both in actual forests and in the laboratory, to elucidate the physiological effects on individuals of exposure to the total environment of forests or to only certain elements of this environment, such as the odor of wood, the sound of running stream water, and the scenery of the forest. We have obtained physiological measurements of central nervous activity, autonomic nervous activity, and biomarkers reflecting stress response that can be applied in this line of approach. Using these measurements, we have summarized the separate elements of forests in terms of the five senses. We have also reviewed a selection of field studies and introduced a number of results from ongoing projects as well as those from early studies. Future perspectives are also discussed. © 2009 The Japanese Society for Hygiene.

We previously reported that the forest environment enhanced human natural killer (NK) cell activity, the number of NK ceIls, and intracellular anti-cancer proteins in lymphocytes, and that the increased NK activity lasted for more than 7 days after trips to forests both in male and female subjects. To explore the factors in the forest environment that activated human NK cells, in the present study we investigate the effect of essential oils from trees on human immune function in twelve healthy male subjects, age 37-60 years, who stayed at an urban hotel for 3 nights from 7.00p.m. to 8.00a.m. Aromatic volatile substances (phytoncides) were produced by vaporizing Chamaecyparis obtusa (hinoki cypress) stem oil with a humidifier in the hotel room during the night stay. Blood samples were taken on the last day and urine samples were analysed every day during the stay. NK activity, the percentages of NK and T cells, and granulysin, perforin, granzyme A/B-expressing lymphocytes in blood, and the concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline in urine were measured. Similar control measurements were made before the stay on a normal working day. The concentrations of phytoncides in the hotel room air were measured. Phytoncide exposure significantly increased NK activity and the percentages of NK, perforin, granulysin, and granzyme A/B-expressing cells, and significantly decreased the percentage of T cells, and the concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline in urine. Phytoncides, such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, were detected in the hotel room air. These findings indicate that phytoncide exposure and decreased stress hormone levels may partially contribute to increased NK activity.

In order to design comfortable spaces forShinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest), it is important to psychological effects and forest environment of walking and sitting in various forests of 10areas. In this study we examined and analyzed impressions of forests, psychological effects, using the Semantic Differential Method and Profile of Mood States, and light/thermal environment effects. As a result, there is a psychological effect of being released from stress by the walking and sitting in the forest, and this effects is considered to have a correlation with impression of forests and light / thermal environment effects. We found that users became tense and fatigued taking in the atmosphere of high humidity, and users became more active in bright. It was thought that a psychological effect of the forests was combined with various physical environmental factors.

The emissions of volatile organic compounds from air-dried, conventionally dried, and high-temperaturedried sugi wood were compared by gas chromatographymass spectrometry. Terpenes were clearly the main compound group in the air-dried wood samples, whereas acetic acid was only detected in the high-temperature-dried wood samples, indicating that considerable changes occurred in the volatile compound emission profile during hightemperature processing. The most abundant compounds in the air-dried wood and conventionally dried wood were delta-cadinene, alpha-muurolene, and beta-cadinene (sesquiterpenes) for all specimens, and a-pinene and D-limonene (monoterpenes) for conventionally dried wood and air-dried wood. In contrast, acetic acid was detected only in the hightemperature-dried wood. Sensory evaluation of volatile organic compounds was performed by 18 male university students. Volatile compounds of air-dried wood and conventionally dried wood were assessed as being significantly more soothing than those from high-temperature-dried wood.

The purpose of this research is to elucidate the relationship between changes in salivary cortisol and the subjective impression of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest, or forest bathing). An experiment was conducted in which 13 subjects walked around Togakushi Kagami Pond, Nagano Prefecture, for 60min in the afternoon, to examine the physiological and subjective effects of Shinrin-yoku in humans. For comparison, a control experiment was performed around the center of Nagano City. At both sites, salivary cortisol was measured and a questionnaire survey was conducted. No significant differences were found in cortisol concentration between the subjects who walked in the forest and the control. However, according to the questionnaire, a significant decrease in cortisol concentration was found in the forest walking subjects who were "relaxed," as compared with those who were "excited." In conclusion, when compared with the control, the cortisol concentration did not change in subjects who walked in the forest; however, a significant decrease was found in "relaxed" subjects compared with "excited" subjects.

This study was conducted to clarify the effect of eucalyptus essential oil mixed with milk casein peptide food for human physiological relaxation. Fifteen male university students (21.2 +/- 0.9 yr) participated in study as subjects. The subjects were given one of two types of experimental drink (peptide + eucalyptus flavor (Pep + EF), and peptide + grapefruit-orange flavor (Pep + G-O), each flavor contains natural essential oil). We measured the change in salivary cortisol concentration and POMS scores before and two hours after taking experimental drink. The results of a Type A behavior pattern test were used to Classify subjects. The concentration of salivary cortisol decreased significantly two hours after taking Pep + ER And Type B showed bigger change than Type A. In conclusion, the results show that eucalyptus essential oil has the effect of relaxation, and that the effects on Type A and Type B are different.

Growing attention has been paid to the health-enhancing or therapeutic effects of natural environments, such as forests, and the requirement for an evidence-based approach has been pressing. However, there is a lack of evidence-based research in this field. In this study, the restorative effects of viewing real forest landscapes were examined through field experiments by comparing the effects of urban landscapes. Twelve Japanese male subjects in their twenties participated in a 3 day field experiment. The subjects were instructed to visit forest and urban environments randomly and to view each real landscape. Physiological and psychological data on each subject were collected four times a day. Significant differences between the responses of the subjects in forest compared with those in the urban environment were found. Forest environments had significantly lower values than urban environments after viewing in (1) salivary cortisol concentration (an index of stress response), (2) diastolic blood pressure, and (3) pulse rate. Further, subjects felt more comfortable, soothed and refreshed when viewing a forest landscape than an urban one. These findings support the idea that real forest landscapes may ameliorate stress, aid autonomic nervous system relaxation and increase positive emotion, and provide important scientific evidence of forest-guided health benefits.

It is widely believed that coming into contact with forest environments is somehow beneficial to human well-being and comfort. In Japan, "Shinrin-yoku" (taking in the atmosphere of a forest) has been proposed to be a relaxation activity associated with forest recreation. The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological effects of forest recreation on the autonomic nervous activity. The subjects were twelve male university students (21.8 +/- 0.8 years old). Oil the first day of the experiment, six Subjects were sent to a forest area, and the other six to a city area. On the second day, each subject was sent to the area he did not visit on the first day as a cross check. The Subjects walked (15 minutes) around their assigned areas before noon, and sat on chairs viewing (15 minutes) the landscapes of their assigned areas in the afternoon. Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, and pulse rate were measured as physiological indices. Measurements were taken at the place of accommodation in the morning, before and after walking, and before and after viewing at their assigned field areas. Pulse rate, diastolic blood pressure and LF/(LF+HF) (LF - low frequency, HF - high frequency) components of HRV were significantly lower in the forest area than in the city area. HF components of HRV tended to be higher in the forest than in the city. In conclusion, the results of the physiological measurements show that forest recreation enabled effective relaxation in people, both of the mind and body.

森林浴が人にもたらす心理的効果について、全国10箇所の森林と都市で調査した。また、森林浴中の光環境及び温熱環境についても調査した。その結果、都市と比較して、森林内での歩行や座観によって気分が改善することが明らかになった。また、森林の印象評価と座観後の気分尺度得点との関係を調べたところ、安心でいい匂いがする森林で「緊張‐不安」や「怒り‐敵意」を示す得点が減少し、涼しいと評価された森林で「活気」を示す得点が増加するという相関が確認された。さらに、環境要因と森林の印象評価の関係を調べたところ、相対照度が高い森林で活気のある空間であると認識されることが示された。

©2008, The purpose of this study is to clarify the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the<br /> atmosphere of the forest of forest bathing). The subjects were twelve male university students (21.6±2.1 years<br /> old). On the first day, six subjects were sent to a forest area, and the others to a city area. On the second day,<br /> the subjects were sent to the opposite areas for a cross check. The subjects were seated on chairs and viewing<br /> the landscapes of their given areas for 15 minutes. HRV (Heart Rate Variability) and diastolic blood pressure<br /> were used as physiological indices. Diastolic blood pressure and LF/(LF+HF) components of HRV in the forest<br /> area were significantly lower than in the city area. And HF power components of HRV in the forest settings<br /> were significantly enhanced than in city settings. In conclusion, the results of the physiological measurements<br /> show that Shinrin-yoku was able to effectively relax people in both mind and body.

anti-We previously reported that forest bathing trips enhanced human NK activity, number of NK cells, and intracellular anti-cancer proteins in lymphocytes, and that the increased NK activity lasted for more than 7 days after the trip in male subjects. In the present study, we investigated the effect of forest bathing trip on human NK activity in female subjects. Thirteen healthy nurses, age 25-43 years, professional career 4-18 years, were selected with informed consent. The subjects experienced a three-day/two-night trip to forest fields. On day 1, the subjects walked for two hours in the afternoon in a forest field; on day 2, they walked for two hours each in the morning and afternoon in two different forest fields; and on day 3, the subjects finished the trip and returned to Tokyo after drawing blood and completing a questionnaire. Blood and urine were sampled on the second and third days during the trip, and on days 7 and 30 after the trip. NK activity, numbers of NK and T cells, and granulysin, perforin, and granzymes A/B-expressing lymphocytes in the,blood samples, the concentrations of estradiol and progesterone in serum, and the concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline in urine were measured. Similar control measurements were made before the trip on a normal working day. The concentrations of phytoncides in the forests were measured. The forest bathing trip significantly increased NK activity and the numbers of NK, perforin, granulysin, and granzymes A/B-expressing cells and significantly decreased the percentage of T cells, and the concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline in urine. The increased NK activity lasted for more than 7 days after the trip. Phytoncides, such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene were detected in forest air. These findings indicate that a forest bathing trip also increased NK activity, number of NK cells, and levels of intracellular anti-cancer proteins in female subjects, and that this effect lasted at least 7 days after the trip. Phytoncides released from trees and decreased stress hormone levels may partially contribute to the increased NK activity.

We previously reported that a forest bathing trip enhanced human NK activity, number of NK cells, and intracellular anti-cancer proteins in lymphocytes. In the present study, we investigated how long the increased NK activity lasts and compared the effect of a forest bathing trip on NK activity with a trip to places in a city without forests. Twelve healthy male subjects, age 35-56 years, were selected with informed consent. The subjects experienced a three-day/two-night trip to forest fields and to a city, in which activity levels during both trips were matched. On day 1, subjects walked for two hours in the afternoon in a forest field; and on day 2, they walked for two hours in the morning and afternoon, respectively, in two different forest fields; and on day 3, the subjects finished the trip and returned to Tokyo after drawing blood samples and completing the questionnaire. Blood and urine were sampled on the second and third days during the trips, and on days 7 and 30 after the trip, and NK activity, numbers of NK and T cells, and granulysin, perforin, and granzymes A/B-expressing lymphocytes in the blood samples,, and the concentration of adrenaline in urine were measured. Similar measurements were made before the trips on a normal working day as the control. Phytoncide concentrations in forest and city air were measured. The forest bathing trip significantly increased NK activity and the numbers of NK, perforin, granulysin, and granzyme A/B-expressing cells and significantly decreased the concentration of adrenaline in urine. The increased NK activity lasted for more than 7 days after the trip. In contrast, a city tourist visit did not increase NK activity, numbers of NK cells, nor the expression of selected intracellular anti-cancer proteins, and did not decrease the concentration of adrenaline in urine. Phytoncides, such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene were detected in forest air, but almost not in city air. These findings indicate that a forest bathing trip increased NK activity, number of NK cells, and levels of intracellular anti-cancer proteins, and that this effect lasted at least 7 days after the trip. Phytoncides released from trees and decreased stress hormone may partially contribute to the increased NK activity.

Allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, perennial rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis caused by the house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, which are dominant species in homes, have recently become serious health problems. Reducing the number of and exposure to mites and mite allergens are the most important factors in preventing allergic diseases. Recently, the effects of essential oils of plants on house dust mites have received much attention with a view to producing natural mite-killing agents. Essential oils and their components of wood and their leaves have also received much attention. In this article, we summarize the biology of house dust mites, mite allergens, and their concentration in homes, and discuss the control of house dust mites by using plant and wood extractives, especially in relation to the influence of essential oils and volatiles from wood on house dust mites.

This study examined the effects of contact with wood on the living human body using a physiological index and subjective evaluation. Consecutive blood pressure measurements were used as the physiological index, and sensory evaluation using the semantic differential (SD) method was used for subjective evaluation. Consideration was also given to cases in which materials were cooled and heated as well as kept at room temperature, to eliminate the effects of heat flux due to differences in thermal conductivity between wood and other materials. It was found that contact with wood produced coarse/natural sensations, with no associated increase in systolic blood pressure. Contact with cold wood created subjectively dangerous/uncomfortable but still coarse/natural sensations, also with no associated increase in blood pressure; therefore, there was no correspondence between subjective evaluation and physiological responses. Contact with aluminum kept at room temperature and cold acrylic plastic created flat/artificial and dangerous/uncomfortable sensations, with an associated significant increase in blood pressure; thus, there was a close correlation between subjective evaluation and physiological responses. It was therefore concluded that contact with wood, unlike artificial materials such as aluminum, induces no physiological stress even when kept at room temperature or cooled.

The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest). The subjects were 12 male university students. On the first day of the experiments, six subjects went to the forest area, and the other six went to a city area as a control. On the second day, subjects went to the opposite areas as a cross-check. In the afternoon, they were seated on chairs watching the landscapes of their given area for 15 min. Heart rate variability (HRV), salivary cortisol and pulse rate were measured as physiological indices in the morning and in the evening at the place of accommodation, before and after watching the landscapes in the field areas. The high-frequency power of HRV of subjects in the forest area was significantly higher than that of subjects in the city area. The pulse rate of subjects in the forest area was significantly lower than that of subjects in the city area. The salivary cortisol concentration of the subjects in the forest area was significantly lower than that of subjects in the city area. The results of physiological measurements show that Shinrin-yoku was an effective form of relaxation.

This study examined the influence of milk casein-derived peptides on cerebral activity after mental stress loading. In a crossover study, 16 male students were given a drink containing peptides (peptide group), or water (control group) before stress loading. The oxyhaemoglobin (HbO2) concentration in the prefrontal area of the brain and work efficiency were measured as indicators of cerebral activity and differences in these parameters were examined according to type A or type B personality. Type A behaviour was defined as: aggression-hostility, hard-driving-time-urgency and speed-power, whereas type B behaviour did not have these characteristics. Peptide intake resulted in a significant increase in both HbO2 concentration and work efficiency, whilst a similar increase was not seen in the control group. When divided into type A or type B personality, the changes in HbO2 concentration for the control group differed significantly in the right prefrontal area. Moreover, in type A subjects the HbO2 concentration in the right prefrontal area following intake was significantly different between the peptide and control groups. Copyright © 2008 Field House Publishing LLP.

Volatiles inside tatami mats containing hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) wood-wool as padding were analyzed. Volatiles were collected with solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers in a small chamber prepared in tatami mats and assayed by gas chromatography. Most of the detected compounds are typically found in hinoki extractives. Monoterpenes rapidly decreased at the beginning of the experiment, while the dispersion of sesquiterpenes that contain hydroxyl groups was observed to last more than 1 year. These sesquiterpenes, T-cadinols, and alpha-cadinols may play a role in the suppression of house dust mites.

In order to explore the effect of forest bathing on human immune function, we investigated natural killer (NK) activity; the number of NK cells, and perforin, granzymes and granulysin-expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) during a visit to forest fields. Twelve healthy male subjects, age 37-55 years, were selected with informed consent from three large companies in Tokyo, Japan. The subjects experienced a three-day/two-night trip in three different forest fields. On the first day, subjects walked for two hours in the afternoon in a forest field; and on the second day, they walked for two hours in the morning and afternoon, respectively, in two different forest fields. Blood was sampled on the second and third days, and NK activity; proportions of NK, T cells, granulysin, perforin, and granzymes A/B-expressing cells in PBL were measured. Similar measurements were made before the trip on a normal working day as the control. Almost all of the subjects (11/12) showed higher NK activity after the trip (about 50 percent increased) compared with before. There are significant differences both before and after the trip and between days 1 and 2 in NK activity. The forest bathing trip also significantly increased the numbers of NK, perforin, granulysin, and granzymes A/B-expressing cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that a forest bathing trip can increase NK activity, and that this effect at least partially mediated by increasing the number of NK cells and by the induction of intracellular anti-cancer proteins.

現代のストレス社会において，森林浴がもたらすリラックス効果に期待が集まっている。本研究では数種の<br /> 生理的指標を用い，森林浴が生体に及ぼす生理的効果を検討した。森林浴実験は長野県木島平村のカヤの平高原で<br /> 行い，対照となる都市部実験はJR長野駅前にて同じ実験スケジュールで実施した。被験者12名を６名ずつ２つの<br /> 群に分け，１日目はそれぞれ森林部ならびに都市部において，午前中は15分間の座観，午後は15分間の歩行を行<br /> い，２日目は森林部と都市部に行く被験者を交代した。その結果，副交感神経活動の指標であるＨＦは森林部で都<br /> 市部に比べ有意に高い値を示し，また，交感神経活動の指標であるＬＦ/ＨＦは森林部で都市部に比べ有意に低い値<br /> を示した。脈拍数は，森林部の座観前および座観後において，都市部に比べ有意に低かった。また，森林部の収縮<br /> 期血圧は，座観後において，座観前に比べ有意に低下していた。結論として，森林浴によって，交感神経活動が抑<br /> 制された生理的リラックス効果がもたらされることが分かった。

To clarify the visual effects of room interior with wooden materials on humans, pulse rate, blood pressure, and brain activity were measured while the subjects were exposed to visual stimuli using actual-size model rooms. The wood ratios (the ratio of the area covered with wooden material to the whole area of the ceiling, walls, and floor) of the rooms were 0%, 45%, and 90%. Subjective evaluation was also conducted. In the 0% room, diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly, but the observed change in the autonomic nervous activity was relatively small. In the 45% room, a significant decrease in the diastolic blood pressure and a significant increase in pulse rate were observed. This room tended to have the highest scores in subjective "comfortable" feeling. The 90% room caused significant and large decreases in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure at the beginning of the test, but the large coverage of wood appeared to cause a rapid decrease in brain activity and an increase in pulse rate. The present study demonstrated that a difference in wood ratio in the interior caused different physiological responses, especially in the autonomic nervous activity, by using actual-size rooms for the first time.