Abstract
Previous research has suggested that exposure to outdoor surroundings is associated with improved attention and concentration among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). This effect has been attributed to the impact of exposure to “green space” in restoring fatigued attention. Because of concerns about side effects and misuse of stimulant medication, there has been considerable interest in green space exposure as a possible alternative or complementary therapy for ADHD. In the current study, adults completed a 20 minute walk in three types of outdoor settings: a wooded trail, a residential neighborhood, and a parking lot. Participants completed subtests from the Wechsler Memory Scale assessing attention, concentration, and short-term memory as well as the Profile of Mood States, a self-report measure for assessing current emotional status. Based upon previous green space research, it was anticipated that participants in the wooded trail condition would perform better on the cognitive tasks. However, there was no difference between the three conditions in participants’ pre- and post-walk cognitive functioning. When data from the three groups were pooled, there was a significant benefit associated with the 20 minute walk for short-term memory as well in reducing tension, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and confusion. The results do suggest that relatively brief outdoor physical activity may be a useful complementary intervention for persons with conditions adversely affecting short-term memory
Highlights
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), a psychiatric condition characterized by significant impairment in attention, concentration, short-term memory as well as disinhibition and restlessness, affects approximately 5% - 7% of children (Haugaard, 2008)
Among children diagnosed with AD/HD, green space exposure in warmer climates and seasons has been associated with improved attention (Kuo & Faber Taylor, 2004; Faber Taylor & Kuo, 2009)
While some of the evidence for green space’s benefits is cross-sectional such as the survey finding that parents of AD/HD children report improved symptoms after activities conducted in natural “greener” outdoor settings compared with indoor settings (Faber Taylor, Koop & Sullivan, 2001; Kuo & Faber Taylor, 2004), a recent study directly examined cognitive functioning
Summary
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), a psychiatric condition characterized by significant impairment in attention, concentration, short-term memory as well as disinhibition and restlessness, affects approximately 5% - 7% of children (Haugaard, 2008). Several studies have suggested that exposure to outdoor activities may, at least temporarily, improve attention and concentration (Faber, Taylor & Kuo, 2009). This novel approach is based upon Attention Restoration Theory (ART) which posits that there are two types of attention―voluntary and involuntary (Faber Taylor et al, 2001; Faber Taylor & Kuo, 2009; Tennessen & Cimprich, 1995). A limited number of previous studies have shown positive effects of exposure to Green Space in both clinical and nonclinical samples of adults and children (Faber Taylor & Kuo, 2009; Tennessen & Cimprich, 1995). It has only been in the past decade that the chronicity of AD/HD from childhood into adulthood has
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