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The Influence of the Environment on Directed Attention, Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: An Experimental Study Using a Relaxation Intervention
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Alnarp, Sweden.
Region Västra Götaland, Institute of Stress Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Region Västra Götaland, Institute of Stress Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Alnarp, Sweden.
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2016 (English)In: Landscape research, ISSN 0142-6397, E-ISSN 1469-9710, Vol. 41, no 1, p. 7-25Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Attention is a basic cognitive function necessary in most daily activities. Beneficial effects on cognitive abilities after exposure to nature have been reported. To explore if relaxation indoors and in nature differently affect directed attention and physiological measures, 51 participants (39 women) were measured on directed attention with the Necker Cube Pattern Control Test before and after a guided progressive relaxation session indoors and outdoors in nature. Additionally, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after the relaxation. Participants’ environmental preference was explored. The main result showed an environmental effect on directed attention in favour of the natural environment. No similar environmental effect on physiological measures was seen. The results indicate that relaxation in natural environments had a positive effect on directed attention and hence could be an important component for preventive and rehabilitative interventions for stress-related symptoms.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2016. Vol. 41, no 1, p. 7-25
Keywords [en]
blood pressure, the Necker Cube Pattern Control Test, nature, cognitive capacity, stress management
National Category
Psychology
Research subject
SOCIAL SCIENCE, Psychology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hv:diva-7285DOI: 10.1080/01426397.2014.982079ISI: 000366711200002Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84952299336OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hv-7285DiVA, id: diva2:780984
Funder
Region Västra Götaland
Note

Published online: 22 Dec 2014

Funders: Skaraborgsinstitutet.

Available from: 2015-01-15 Created: 2015-01-15 Last updated: 2019-03-15Bibliographically approved

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Vega Matuszczyk, Josefa

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