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Benedetti V, Giganti F, Cotugno M, Noferini C, Gavazzi G, Gronchi G, Righi S, Meneguzzo F, Becheri FR, Li Q, Viggiano MP. Interplay among Anxiety, Digital Environmental Exposure, and Cognitive Control: Implications of Natural Settings. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:323. [PMID: 38667119 PMCID: PMC11047410 DOI: 10.3390/bs14040323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory control performance may differ greatly as a function of individual differences such as anxiety. Nonetheless, how cognitive control proficiency might be influenced by exposure to various environments and how anxiety traits might impact these effects remain unexplored. A cohort of thirty healthy volunteers participated in the study. Participants performed a Go/No-Go task before exposure to a 'forest' and 'urban' virtual environment, in a counterbalanced design, before repeating the GNG task. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was finally filled-in. Our findings unveiled an initial negative correlation between anxiety trait levels and GNG task performance, consistent with the established literature attributing difficulties in inhibitory functionality to anxiety. Additionally, different environmental exposures reported opposite trends. Exposure to the 'forest' environment distinctly improved the GNG performance in relation to anxiety traits, while the 'urban' setting demonstrated adverse effects on task performance. These results underscore the intricate relationship among cognitive control, environmental exposure, and trait anxiety. In particular, our findings highlight the potential of natural settings, such as forests, to mitigate the impact of anxiety on inhibition. This might have implications for interventions aimed at improving cognitive control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Benedetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.G.); (M.C.); (C.N.); (G.G.); (G.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Fiorenza Giganti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.G.); (M.C.); (C.N.); (G.G.); (G.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Maria Cotugno
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.G.); (M.C.); (C.N.); (G.G.); (G.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Chiara Noferini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.G.); (M.C.); (C.N.); (G.G.); (G.G.); (S.R.)
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Gioele Gavazzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.G.); (M.C.); (C.N.); (G.G.); (G.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Giorgio Gronchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.G.); (M.C.); (C.N.); (G.G.); (G.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Stefania Righi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.G.); (M.C.); (C.N.); (G.G.); (G.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Francesco Meneguzzo
- Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy;
- Central Scientific Committee, Italian Alpine Club, 19 Via E. Petrella, 20124 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Qing Li
- Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine—Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan;
| | - Maria Pia Viggiano
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.G.); (M.C.); (C.N.); (G.G.); (G.G.); (S.R.)
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Wakabayashi H, Mori T, Nishioka S, Maeda K, Yoshimura Y, Iida Y, Shiraishi A, Fujiwara D. Psychological aspects of rehabilitation nutrition: A position paper by the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition (secondary publication). J Gen Fam Med 2024; 25:1-9. [PMID: 38240004 PMCID: PMC10792333 DOI: 10.1002/jgf2.668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychological aspects of rehabilitation nutrition affect physical, cognitive, and social rehabilitation nutrition. When depression is recognized, not only pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, but also non-pharmacological therapies such as exercise, nutrition, psychosocial, and other interventions can be expected to improve depression. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and intervention without overlooking depression is important. Psychological aspects of preventive rehabilitation nutrition is also important because depression can be partially prevented by appropriate exercise and nutritional management. Even in the absence of psychological negatives, increasing more psychological positives from a positive psychology perspective can be useful for both patients and healthcare professionals. Positive rehabilitation nutrition interventions can increase more psychological positives, such as well-being, through cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness on their own, as well as through interventions on environmental factors. Consequently, physical, cognitive, and social positives are also expected to be enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidetaka Wakabayashi
- Department of Rehabilitation MedicineTokyo Women's Medical University HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Takashi Mori
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgerySouthern Tohoku General HospitalKoriyamaJapan
| | - Shinta Nishioka
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Food ServiceNagasaki Rehabilitation HospitalNagasakiJapan
| | - Keisuke Maeda
- Nutrition Therapy Support CenterAichi Medical University HospitalNagoyaJapan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoshimura
- Center for Sarcopenia and Malnutrition ResearchKumamoto Rehabilitation HospitalKumamotoJapan
| | - Yuki Iida
- Department of Physical TherapyToyohashi SOZO University School of Health SciencesToyohashiJapan
| | - Ai Shiraishi
- Center for Sarcopenia and Malnutrition ResearchKumamoto Rehabilitation HospitalKumamotoJapan
| | - Dai Fujiwara
- Department of Rehabilitation MedicineSaka General HospitalShiogamaJapan
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Yeon PS, Kang SN, Lee NE, Kim IO, Min GM, Kim GY, Kim JG, Shin WS. Benefits of Urban Forest Healing Program on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Depressive Patients. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2766. [PMID: 37893840 PMCID: PMC10606414 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11202766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is considered a widespread mental health problem worldwide. Moreover, anxiety symptoms are very closely related to depression in patients, and it is known that the coexistence rate of depression and anxiety diagnosed simultaneously is high. Treatment and preventive management of depression and anxiety are essential for public health. Forest healing is attracting attention as a form of low-cost preventive medicine that is safe and has no side effects. However, although the physiological and psychological effects have been scientifically proven, it is insufficient to reveal a direct relationship between forest healing and depression. This study investigated the benefits of an urban forest healing program on depression and anxiety symptoms in depressive disorders. We employed a randomized controlled trial design. Forty-seven depressive patients were randomly divided into an urban forest healing program group and a control group. Measures included the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires. Our results revealed that the combination of general treatment and forest healing programs for patients with depression is more effective in improving depression and anxiety than routine treatment alone. We expect our work to serve as a starting point for more sophisticated research discussing the availability of non-pharmacological treatments in forest healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poung-Sik Yeon
- Department of Forest Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea;
| | - Si-Nae Kang
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - Nee-Eun Lee
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - In-Ok Kim
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - Gyeong-Min Min
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - Ga-Yeon Kim
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - Jin-Gun Kim
- Korea Forest Therapy Forum Incorporated Association, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Sop Shin
- Department of Forest Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea;
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Donelli D, Meneguzzo F, Antonelli M, Ardissino D, Niccoli G, Gronchi G, Baraldi R, Neri L, Zabini F. Effects of Plant-Emitted Monoterpenes on Anxiety Symptoms: A Propensity-Matched Observational Cohort Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2773. [PMID: 36833470 PMCID: PMC9957398 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Immersive experiences in green areas, particularly in forests, have long been known to produce beneficial effects for human health. However, the exact determinants and mechanisms leading to healthy outcomes remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this observational cohort study was to investigate whether inhaling plant-emitted biogenic volatile compounds, namely monoterpenes (MTs), can produce specific effects on anxiety symptoms. Data from 505 subjects participating in 39 structured forest therapy sessions at different Italian sites were collected. The air concentration of monoterpenes was measured at each site. STAI state questionnaires were administered before and after the sessions as a measure of anxiety. A propensity score matching analysis was then performed, considering an above-average exposure to inhalable air MTs as the treatment. The estimated effect was -1.28 STAI-S points (95% C.I. -2.51 to -0.06, p = 0.04), indicating that the average effect of exposure to high MT air concentrations during forest therapy sessions was to decrease anxiety symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Donelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43121 Parma, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco Meneguzzo
- Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Central Scientific Committee, Italian Alpine Club, 19 Via E. Petrella, I-20124 Milano, Italy
| | - Michele Antonelli
- Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Diego Ardissino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43121 Parma, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Niccoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43121 Parma, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Gronchi
- Section of Psychology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 12 Via di San Salvi, I-50135 Firenze, Italy
| | - Rita Baraldi
- Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Luisa Neri
- Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Federica Zabini
- Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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