Natural Is Not Always Better: The Varied Effects of a Natural Environment and Exercise on Affect and Cognition

Trammell, Janet P.; Aguilar, Shaya C.

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.575245

Cited by 15 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…We observed mixed results for the short-term memory test since residential green space was found associated with better performance on the first part of the test (Digit Span Forward) requiring moderate attention, whereas no effect was found with the second part of the test requiring greater attention resources (Digit Span Backward). Similar to our findings, an experimental study in 28 persons showed that exercise in a natural environment resulted in the greatest improvement for cognitive tasks that required only moderate attentional demands [ 47 ]. A systematic review with a meta-analysis reported that the natural exposure group performed significantly better than controls on both Digit Span Forward and Digit Span Backward Tests [ 48 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Residential green space improves cognitive performances in primary schoolchildren independent of traffic-related air pollution exposure

et al. 2023

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Background Cognitive performances of schoolchildren have been adversely associated with both recent and chronic exposure to ambient air pollution at the residence. In addition, growing evidence indicates that exposure to green space is associated with a wide range of health benefits. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if surrounding green space at the residence improves cognitive performance of primary schoolchildren while taking into account air pollution exposure. Methods Cognitive performance tests were administered repeatedly to a total of 307 primary schoolchildren aged 9-12y, living in Flanders, Belgium (2012–2014). These tests covered three cognitive domains: attention (Stroop and Continuous Performance Tests), short-term memory (Digit Span Forward and Backward Tests), and visual information processing speed (Digit-Symbol and Pattern Comparison Tests). Green space exposure was estimated within several radii around their current residence (50 m to 2000 m), using a aerial photo-derived high-resolution (1 m2) land cover map. Furthermore, air pollution exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 during the year before examination was modelled for the child’s residence using a spatial–temporal interpolation method. Results An improvement of the children’s attention was found with more residential green space exposure independent of traffic-related air pollution. For an interquartile range increment (21%) of green space within 100 m of the residence, a significantly lower mean reaction time was observed independent of NO2 for both the sustained-selective (-9.74 ms, 95% CI: -16.6 to -2.9 ms, p = 0.006) and the selective attention outcomes (-65.90 ms, 95% CI: -117.0 to -14.8 ms, p = 0.01). Moreover, green space exposure within a large radius (2000 m) around the residence was significantly associated with a better performance in short-term memory (Digit-Span Forward Test) and a higher visual information processing speed (Pattern Comparison Test), taking into account traffic-related exposure. However, all associations were attenuated after taking into account long-term residential PM2.5 exposure. Conclusions Our panel study showed that exposure to residential surrounding green space was associated with better cognitive performances at 9–12 years of age, taking into account traffic-related air pollution exposure. These findings support the necessity to build attractive green spaces in the residential environment to promote healthy cognitive development in children.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Residential green space improves cognitive performances in primary schoolchildren independent of traffic-related air pollution exposure

et al. 2023

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“…Another limitation of our study is that cognitive tasks were performed relatively close to each other, thus making it impossible to rule out a possible learning effect. Numerous studies that have repeatably measured cognition (memory and executive function), throughout the day or during a short period of time, report no learning effect/performance bias [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. That said, our data indicate that an increased frequency of the test did not yield significantly better accuracy, demonstrating that there was not a substantial learning effect associated with the way this task was administered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating the Benefits of Nature Exposure on Cognitive Performance in Virtual Reality: A Window into Possibilities for Education and Cognitive Health

Léger

Mekari

2022

Brain Sciences

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Purpose: This one-group pretest–posttest, designed within a subject study, looks to compare the effects of an outdoor nature walk (ONW) to those of a virtual nature walk (VRW) on memory and cognitive function. Implications are discussed for education as well as for the world of virtual reality. Methods: Sixty-four healthy university students were asked to complete an ONW and a VRW, which was created using 3D video of the same nature trail used for the ONW. The VRW condition involved a five-minute walk on a treadmill, while wearing a virtual reality mask (Oculus, San Francisco) that projected a previously recorded three-dimensional capture of the same nature walk they experienced outdoors. Both experimental conditions lasted approximately 5 min and were counterbalanced between participants. A Digit Span Test (Digit) for working memory and a Trail Test (TMT) for executive function were administered to all study participants, immediately before and after each type of walk. Results: For executive function testing (Trail Making Test), our results demonstrate that both the ONW and VRW condition improved the TMT time, when compared to a baseline (ONW 37.06 1.31 s vs. 31.75 1.07 s, p < 0.01 and VRW 36.19 1.18 s vs. 30.69 1.11 s, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the ONW and VRW groups. Similarly, for the Digit memory task, both conditions improved compared to the baseline (ONW 54.30 3.01 vs. 68.4 2.66, p < 0.01 and VRW 58.1 3.10 vs. 67.4 2.72, p < 0.01). There was a difference at the baseline between the ONW and VRW conditions (54.3 3.01 vs. 58.1 3.10, p < 0.01), but this baseline difference in memory performance was no longer significant post exercise, between groups at follow-up (68.4 2.66 vs. 67.4 2.72, p < 0.08). Conclusions: Our results suggest that both a virtual reality protocol and a nature walk can have positive outcomes on memory and executive function in younger adults.

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“…When it comes to boosting people's mental health, city planners may benefit greatly by being aware that people can find a lot to enjoy even in metropolitan areas. Instead of hindering people's emotional, cognitive, and emotional recovery from the stresses of urban life, cities could help facilitate this process [19].…”

Section: Contributions Of Biophilic Designs To Improved Mental Health...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biophilic architecture and designs for mental well-being

Alam

2023

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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There is a growing recognition that people who stay in contact with nature are more likely to enjoy fulfilling, fruitful lives. More recently, architects and designers have begun to recognize the importance of biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements into built environments. However, as urbanization spreads around the globe, attention must be redirected to city size, with an emphasis on planning for and making progress toward “biophilic cities.” Biophilic communities are ones that aim to foster a sense of appreciation and stewardship for the natural world among their citizens by providing them with enough opportunities to experience nature both inside and beyond the city limits. Employing deconstructive discourse analysis on different uses of biophilic concepts, the present paper aims to review the contribution of biophilic architecture and designs to the improved physical space for mental well-being.

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Natural Is Not Always Better: The Varied Effects of a Natural Environment and Exercise on Affect and Cognition

Cited by 15 publications

References 54 publications

Residential green space improves cognitive performances in primary schoolchildren independent of traffic-related air pollution exposure

Residential green space improves cognitive performances in primary schoolchildren independent of traffic-related air pollution exposure

Simulating the Benefits of Nature Exposure on Cognitive Performance in Virtual Reality: A Window into Possibilities for Education and Cognitive Health

Biophilic architecture and designs for mental well-being

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