Abstract
The benefits of various nature-derived stimuli that can be used for stress relief and relaxation has recently gained immense attention; however, there are very few studies about their influence on elderly patients. The present study aims to present the effects of viewing bonsai on autonomic nervous activity, prefrontal cortex activity, and subjective assessment findings of psychological relaxation in elderly patients undergoing rehabilitation. Fourteen participants aged 64–91 years (mean age ± standard deviation, 78.6 ± 9.6 years) participated in this study. Miniature potted 10-year-old Japanese cypress bonsai trees were used as visual stimuli. Participants viewed the bonsai for 1 min, and the control comprised of no experimental stimulus. Physiological effects on autonomic nervous activity were assessed by measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse rate. The effects on prefrontal cortex activity were determined using near-infrared spectroscopy, which involved assessment of oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the left and right prefrontal cortices. Subjective evaluations were achieved by the modified semantic differential method. Viewing bonsai resulted in a significant increase in parasympathetic nervous activity, a significant decrease in sympathetic nervous activity, and a significant increase in the perceptions of feeling “comfortable” and “relaxed.” In conclusion, our findings indicated that viewing bonsai induces physiological and psychological relaxation.
Highlights
Along with the accelerated aging of the population, interest in enhancing the quality of life of the elderly is growing as well
The aim of this study is to clarify the effects of viewing bonsai on autonomic nervous activity through measurements of heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse rate, prefrontal cortex activity through assessments using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and psychological relaxation through subjective assessments in elderly patients undergoing rehabilitation
On comparing the ln(LF/HF) values before and after viewing bonsai, we found that the ln(LF/HF) values were significantly lower after viewing bonsai than before viewing bonsai (−1.88 ± 0.23 vs. −1.19 ± 0.26; p = 0.004)
Summary
Along with the accelerated aging of the population, interest in enhancing the quality of life of the elderly is growing as well. The primary focus of healthcare has been shifting from disease treatment to health promotion, disease prevention, and quality of life improvement. “Nature therapy” is defined as “a set of practices” aimed at achieving “preventive medical effects” through exposure to natural stimuli that render a state of physiological relaxation and boosts weakened immune functions to prevent diseases [2]. This therapy is increasingly recognized as an effective relaxation and stress management approach, and has the potential to be more widely adopted as an alternative and complementary therapy in the future
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