Abstract
Human stress recovery response to landscapes is under discussion in Chinese settings. The present study aimed to clarify the stress recovery effects of campus street trees on graduate students in autumn. A total of 150 participants (23.75 ± 1.01 years old) completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and were then randomly assigned to view one of five virtual environments, including the street trees Sophora japonica, Ginkgo biloba, Platanus acerifolia, Koelreuteria paniculata, and the indoor environment (control). Physiological responses were measured by R-R interval and electroencephalography (EEG). Psychological responses were examined through the state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS). Results showed that R-R intervals significantly increased while viewing all street trees. Both alpha and beta brainwave activities while viewing S. japonica and G. biloba were remarkably higher than those while viewing P. acerifolia and K. paniculata. The STAI-S scores significantly decreased, and the positive PRS scores were registered after viewing street trees. We concluded that a brief virtual visual experience of campus street trees in autumn has stress recovery effects on graduate students, and the different levels of stress recovery are associated with different types of street trees.
Highlights
Stress is a growing public health concern in modern times
There was a significant data indicated that the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) produced effective stress stimulation for graduate students
R-R intervals markedly increased while viewing street trees after the TSST, The results identified that campus street trees of autumn in virtual visual stimulation-induced and the values indicated that G. biloba and S. japonica were more effective in stress reduction than physiological relaxation
Summary
41% of graduate students score in the moderate–severe range for anxiety, and 39% have signs of moderate–severe depression [1]. Many of these cases are related to academic, financial, or employment pressures [2], so a clear understanding of intervention to relieve stress is needed to improve students’. Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to natural environments or urban green environments have positive effects on stress relief and well-being [4,5,6,7]. There is a lack of research-based evidence concerning stress recovery effects of campus street trees on people, especially of graduate students, for the landscapes in autumn. The present study was designed to provide such evidence
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