The effects of perceiving color in living environment on QEEG, Oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and emotion regulation in humans

Abstract

Light and color have been shown to have substantial physical, psychological and sociological effects on humans. Hence, an investigation on the effect of changes in light and color to the biological signals is a challenging problem. Five participants were measured the oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate, and quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) in six colors (white, blue, green, yellow, red and black) of living environment for 5 minutes per color. Then all participants were asked to answer the emotional questionnaire of BRUMS and color performance for each color environment. The results showed brain activity of high beta wave (25-30 Hz) that associated with alertness, agitation, mental activity, and general activation of mind and body functions (at frontal lobes and temporal lobes) in red and yellow colored rooms were higher than blue, green, white and black colored rooms, respectively. It also had the relationship with the psychological effect (BRUMS). The amplitude asymmetry of beta wave (12-25 Hz) was highly attenuated in warm color (red and yellow colored rooms), moderately attenuated in cool color (green and blue colored room) and little attenuated in white and black colored rooms. The BRUMS showed that red and yellow yielded significant effect on anger (F = 4.966, p = 0.002) and confusion (F=3.853, p=0.008). Red and green color yielded high effect on vigor. Green color did not affect the depression. Blue color yielded moderate effect on confusion, tension and fatigue. White and black colors yielded low effect on any mood, but black color had no effect on vigor. In addition, we cannot observe any significant changes of pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation in each color. The results can possibly be used as the recommendation to design the room for either normal people or patients.

Colour preference between adults and children during a dental treatment session

“…Also, it is believed that preferred colours have a guiding effect on individuals [16]. Red, blue and green objects showed different effects on the brain activity [4]. It was reported that age has an important effect on colour preferences and also that colour preferences change with age and maturity.…”

“…Each colour has different variances [2,4]. In nature, there are three primary colours: red, yellow and blue.…”

“…In terms of their effects on people, colours are classified as warm and cold colours. It was reported that warm colours such as red, orange, yellow and pink create liveliness, joy, action, excitement and are stimulating effects, whereas cold colours such as blue, green, purple and grey create relaxing, restful, tranquil and soothing effects [1,4,12,13]. It has been stated that, transparent colour symbolizes purity and cleanliness [14].…”

“…It has been stated that, transparent colour symbolizes purity and cleanliness [14]. Knowing the effect of colours on human behavior can be used for environmental design at various setting such as home, healthcare center, learning center, nursery and hospice and dental office, to stimulate brain activity for psychology purposes and cognitive function [4].…”

“…Modern science has shown the effects of colour on human beings. Therefore, it is necessary to use colour correctly cause it is a psychological factor [3,4]. Colour is also found to play an important role in the symbolisation of concepts and ideas by expressing imagination and requests, producing emotional and visual responses and attracting people in persuading them to purchase a product [5].…”