• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.545-550
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• 2021

Background and objective: With increasing land use intensity in urban areas, apartment buildings have been recognized as a typical type of urban residence. In this study, the impacts of different views through a window on health-related responses were investigated using psychological and physiological parameters. Methods: Photos of three different types of views taken on low (2-12 m), middle (28-35 m), and high (over 54 m) floors of dense apartment building areas were used as visual stimuli. Twenty-two healthy adults participated in the indoor experiment. Semantic differential methods and profile of mood states were used as psychological tools. Autonomic nervous activity was evaluated using blood pressures, pulse rate and heart rate variability (HRV). Results: Analytic data showed different characteristics of psychological and physiological outcomes in three different apartment views. In the analysis of psychological parameters, significantly negative responses to the views on middle floors were found in the subscales of tension-anxiety and anger-hostility, compared to low floors. Significantly positive scores in the subscale of vigor were found on low floors with abundance of vegetation and high floors with a view of the sky. A significantly increased value of HF was found on low floors (2,294.96 ± 169.79), compared to the middle(1,553.45 ± 84.66) and high (1,523.02 ± 70.49) floors. Despite the high scores in openness and vigor, high floor views showed significantly higher LF/HF values (1.83 ± 0.09), the indicator of the sympathetic nervous system, than low (1.30 ± 0.07) and middle floor views (1.34 ± 0.06), which might be related to the unconscious fear of heights. Conclusion: Views from different heights in an apartment building can affect the psychological states of residents. Green space through the window may have a positive health outcome by reducing physiological stress.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.309-319
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of watching a virtual reality (VR) forest video on stress reduction in adults. Experiments were performed in an artificial climate chamber where temperature, humidity and illumination were controlled. To cause stress in subjects, the subjects were asked to multiply two digit numbers by one digit numbers for two minutes. The subjects then watched a VR forest video for five minutes. During the experiment, the heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) of subjects were continuously measured for evaluating their physiological state. After measuring the baseline and watching a VR forest video, their psychological state was evaluated using the profile of mood state (POMS), semantic differential (SD) method, and positive affect and negative affect schedule (PANAS). The results of physiological evaluation after watching a VR forest video showed a decrease in the stress index and HR, an increase in the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, and the standard deviation of normal to normal RR intervals (SDNN). The results of psychological assessment confirmed that watching a VR forest video induced "comfort", "natural", and "soothed" feelings in subjects. In addition, watching a VR forest video decreased "tension-anxiety (T-A)", "depression-dejection (D)", "anger-hostility (A-H)", "fatigue (F)", "total mood disturbance (TMD)", and increased "vigor (V)" compared to the base line, and decreased "negative affect" and increased "positive affect." These results indicate that watching a VR forest video decreases adults' stress index, stabilizes physiological state, and has a positive impact on psychological state. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for providing forest welfare services to people in the blind spots of forest welfare, and can lay a foundation for the adoption of VR, one of the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution in forestry.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.5-20
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic feasibility using pulse parameters as a way to establish safe dose guidelines for Chunwangbosim-dan, and to provide a foundation for developing evidence-based guidelines for clinical use. Methods: Forty-one volunteers were recruited to participate in a study examining the changes in pulse wave characteristics following the ingestion of Chunwangbosim-dan, over a period of 2 weeks, and pulse wave measurements were taken before and after the administration. Pulse wave parameters were measured in this study using a 3-dimensional radial pulse tonometry device(DMP-Lifeplus). In addition, questionnaire, blood pressure, temperature, and body composition were also measured as secondary measures. Results: Fifteen minutes after administration of Chunwangbosim-dan, the non-adverse event group(non-AE) exhibited a statistically significant increase in several power and pressure-related parameters, including h1, h3, h4, h5, SA, PA and PW, while the adverse event group(AE) showed a trend of decreasing stroke volume and increasing Systemic Vascular Resistance Index(SVRI) and applied pressure. After 2 weeks of administration, non-adverse event group(non-AE) exhibited significant changes in standard deviation of pulse rate and HRV_LH ratio. Notably, there are significant differences between AE group and non-AE group in h4/h1, w/t, applied pressure, SV and pulse rate. Conclusion: These findings suggest that pulse parameters may be a useful way to establish safe dosing guidelines for Chunwangbosim-dan. Further research is needed to confirm these results and to develop evidence-based guidelines for clinical use.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.125-132
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• 2023

This study investigated the effects of continuous Singing Bowl healing on brainwaves and autonomic nervous system responses. The variations in brainwaves were measured during 45-minute sessions in eight participants, before and after Singing Bowl healing sessions to assess the changes in brainwaves before and after five weeks of Singing Bowl healing treatment. BioBrain BIOS-S8 was used to obtain brainwave measurements. Electrodes were placed on six channels: F3, F4, T3, T4, P3, and P4. A standard limb lead I with electrodes was used for electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements. Using the collected brainwave data, changes in brain waves were observed before and after five weeks of Singing Bowl healing. Beta waves, alpha waves, and sensorimotor rhythm were found to have reduced, while theta waves, delta waves, and the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals in heart rate variability had increased. These results indicate that continuous Singing Bowl healing over five weeks can stabilize brainwaves, activate the autonomic nervous system, and increase the relaxation-inducing effects of the parasympathetic nervous system.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.251-256
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report the short-term blood pressure-lowering effects observed in a patient with malignant hypertension through slow breathing maneuver with heart rate variability(HRV) biofeedback. Methods: Biofeedback sessions, totaling 13, each lasting 10 minutes, were administered. Blood pressure was measured pre and post-treatment, as well as thrice daily at 10 am, 4 pm, and 8 pm. Systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP), and pulse rate were recorded for comparative analysis. Results: Before biofeedback, the average SBP, DBP, and pulse rate were 227.2±18.3, 135.2±11.0, and 104.4±5.3, respectively. Immediately post-biofeedback, these values changed to 213.7±15.2, 126.9±8.5, and 99.2±3.6. However, sustained long-term blood pressure reduction was not observed. Conclusions: The findings suggest that biofeedback therapy induces a short-term reduction in blood pressure in cases of malignant hypertension, potentially associated with autonomic nervous system regulation. Integrating biofeedback with other Korean medicine treatments, such as acupuncture or moxibustion, may offer a comprehensive approach for managing malignant hypertension.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.13-30
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• 2024

Objectives This study aimed to analyze the influence of various sleep-related factors that affect sleep quality by each Sasang type. Methods A total of 400 subjects were included for this study, 108 males and 292 females. Sasang type was diagnosed using the SCAT. Then, the characteristics of each Sasang type were analyzed using HRV, DITI, and PSQI, PSS, and SDFI questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict sleep-related factors that affect sleep disorders by Sasang types. Results This study shows that the pathophysiological characteristics for stress and digestive function of each Sasang type can differentiate sleep management through a logistic regression model including subscales of PSS and SDFI. Stress had no effect on the occurrence of sleep disturbance within only So-Eum, since the stress level is originally high in the So-Eum regardless of sleep quality. Rather, decreased appetite and poor eating habits had a significant impact on the decline in sleep quality. In addition, poor digestion and eating habits in So-Yang had a greater impact and poor digestion in Tae-Eum had a greater impact on the decline in sleep quality. Conclusion The stress and subscales of digestive function provide differentiated sleep management in So-Yang, Tae-Eum, and So-Eum types. The individualized sleep management for each Sasang type with statistically validated PSS and SDFI would be useful for sleep-related experts planning safe and effective person-centered health care as well as for Western clinicians who want to incorporate Sasang typology into their treatments as integrative medical technique in the future.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.35
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• pp.125-149
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• 2013

In this study changes in biorhythm are observed by measuring heart rate variabilities in order to verify, compare, and evaluate stresses in guard duties of guards and CCTV monitoring works of staffs serviced in practical guard sites. Guard duties and CCTV monitoring works similar to a practical situation are implemented for nine students in the department of security at K University over 150 minutes. In the results of observing heart rate variabilities and autonomic function tests for six times with an interval of 30 minutes, the heart rate variability (HRV) in CCTV monitoring works represents lower levels than that of guard duties. Also, in a stable condition the guard duties for 30 and 60 minutes exhibit lower levels than that of 90, 120, and 150 minutes. Regarding SDNN, CCTV monitoring works show higher levels that guard duties and the guard duties for 30 and 60 minutes represent lower levels than that of 150 minutes. In autonomic function tests, there are no differences in TP between groups according to guard duties and CCTV monitoring works. Also, the guard duties for 150 minutes represent more differences in TP compared to that of 30 minutes. The interaction between the duty type and the duty duration is presented. In the case of LF, guard duties for 150 minutes show large differences in duty duration compared to that of 60 minutes. In the case of HF, the CCTV monitoring work group shows higher levels than the guard duty group in which the guard duties for 120 and 150 minutes represent higher levels than that of 30 minutes. The interaction between the duty type and the duty duration is presented. In the case of the LF/HF ratio, the guard duty group exhibits higher levels than the CCTV monitoring group. Also, there is an interaction between the duty type and the duty duration including the difference in durations. The CCTV monitoring works represent lower heart function activities than the guard duties according to increases in parasympathetic nervous activities. It shows that the long-term CCTV monitoring duty repeated everyday shows a high possibility of increasing the exposures of VDT syndrome and nervous breakdown.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.120-127
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• 2009

Objectives: Sahyangsohapwon (SS) is a herbal medication that has been widely used with circulatory and neural diseases. This study was conducted to assess the effect of SS on the autonomic nervous system by using heart rate variability measurement. Methods: The eligible subjects were enrolled from the healthy male group of ages 20 to 35 years. They were divided into two groups, the SS group (n=26) and the control (n=24). We monitored the ECG of subjects from the time period 14:00 to 18:00. In the SS group, subjects were administered with a dose of SS at the time 15:00, whereas the control group had none. For each hour HRV measurement was monitored every 15 minutes for 512 seconds from the time period 14:00 to 18:00. The mean value, which was calculated using the 4 values during each hour (i.e. 14:00, 14:15, 14:30, 14:45), was used as the representative value for each individual hour. For the measurement values, RR-interval and SDNN (standard deviation of the NN intervals) were used as time domain analysis, and HF (high frequency), LF (low frequency), and LF/HF ratio were used as frequency domain analysis. Results: The LF value showed an increase after one hour of SS administration and showed gradual diminution for each and every hour. The repeated measures of ANOVA for the comparison of the LF value between the SS group and the control group showed significant differences. While, RR interval, SDNN, HF, and LF/HF ratio values showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: We suggest that the SS might be useful for stabilizing autonomic nervous system by inhibiting sympathetic nerve activation in healthy people.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.137-144
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• 2005

Objective : This study was designed to assess the heart rate variablitv of patients with Parkinson's disease according to Hoehn-Yahr stage. Methods : Subjects were voluntarily recruited by newspapers and internet. All the subjects are confirmed as idiopathic parkinson's disease by a neurologist. The patients were grouped by Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y) stage. Heart rate variability was measured for 5 minutes after 5 minutes' bed rest. Subjects were comprised of 3 groups which were H-Y stage I (n=14), H-Y stage H(n=9), H-Y stage III(n=7). We compared the heart rate variability of each groups by one-way ANOVA test. We also studied the relationship between UPDRS score and Heat rate variability components (SDNN, RMS-SD and TP) by pearson correlation analysis and simple linear regressin analysis Results: Age, duration was matched among groups. SDNN, RMS-SD, TP were significantly decreased as H-Y stage increased(p<0.05). Especially there was significant difference between H-Y stage I and III group(p<0.05). But other components(Heart rate, LF, HF, LF/HF ratio) were not showed significant difference. SDNN, RMS-SD and TP were significantly decreased as UPDRS scores increase(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study suggests that the function of the autonomic nervous system decreases as Parkinson`s disease progresses.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2004

Objectives: Sound and light (SL) stimulation has been used as a method to induce some useful mental states in the fields of psychology and psychiatry. It is believed that sound and light entrainment device (SLED) has some specific effects through synchronization of EEG in patients who use it. Theta frequency is believed to stimulate deep relaxation and short term memory processing. This study was conducted to evaluate if 4-10 Hz SL stimulation can induce relaxation and improve short term memory function. Methods: Ten medical students with no medical or psychiatric problems participated in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups. One group was applied with real SLED was applied to one group (R group) and pseudo SLED to the other group (P group). The two groups were exposed to SL stimulation with SLED 15 minutes a day for 5 days, and after two days rest the two groups were switched over. The Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS), Academic Motivation Tests (AMT), Test Anxiety Scale (TAS), Korean Auditory Verbal Learning Test (K-AVLT), and digit span were used to evaluate short term memory. Spielberger's State-Trait anxiety inventory and heart rate variability (HRV) test were used to evaluate degree of relaxation. Results: Compared with S group, R group showed a significant improvement in K-AVLT and digit span after a single application of SL stimulation. But 5-day long application did not reveal any differences between the two groups. A significant change in HRV was observed in 5-day long application of SL stimulation after being switched over to other SLED. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that 4-10 Hz SL stimulation has some positive influences on short term memory and relaxation.