Impact of the Classic Chinese Garden Soundscape With Focus on Physiological and Psychological Effects, Tested Through Eye-Tracking, and Subjective Evaluation.

Soundscape has been valued and practiced in classical Chinese garden designs. Some authentic patterns were even mentioned and used in gardening books hundreds of years ago. Though these patterns are well-known, how they work in a classic Chinese garden is still unclear.

Physiological and Psychological Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds from Dried Common Rush ( L. var. Buchen.) on Humans.

This study compared the participants' physiological responses and subjective evaluations of air scented with different concentrations of common rush ( L. var. Buchen.

The Mechanism of Relaxation by Viewing a Japanese Garden: A Pilot Study.

Aim: To explore people's visual attention and psychological and physiological responses to viewing a Japanese garden (an asymmetrically designed garden) and an herb garden (a symmetrically designed garden).

Background: There are few studies of eye movements when observing different style gardens, and how they are connected to the interpretation of the space, and physiological and psychological responses.

Method: Thirty subjects were recruited and their physiological and psychological responses to viewing the garden types were assessed using a heart-rate monitor and questionnaire.

The Positive Effects of Viewing Gardens for Persons with Dementia.

Dementia is highly prevalent among the worldwide elderly population. Only a small number of the currently marketed drugs are effective in controlling its symptoms, and none has any effect on its progression. Further, as the condition advances, even these pharmaceuticals lose their efficiency, and new research into interventions that might improve the life quality of patients at the end stage of dementia and their families is increasingly rare.

The Power of Traditional Design Techniques: The Effects of Viewing a Japanese Garden on Individuals With Cognitive Impairment.

Purpose: This study is to examine how viewing a Japanese garden affects Japanese patients with dementia.

Background: In a previous study, authors explored the effect on individuals with Alzheimer's disease of viewing an indoor Japanese garden at a nursing home in the United States and reported that viewing the garden significantly reduced the heart rate, evoked short-term and long-term memories, and improved behavioral symptoms. However, it was unclear whether these effects were caused by the design of Japanese garden or unfamiliarity of the design to Caucasians.