The effect of natural sound: stress-related salivary amylase and mood states

Paper number

IAC-11,A1,1,8,x11288

Author

Ms. Ayako Ono, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Jun Tayama, Center for Health & Community Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Yoiti Suzuki, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Fumitaka Saito, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Masaki Yamaguchi, Graduate School of Engineering, Iwate University, Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Tomomi Hattori, Preventive Medical Center, Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Shin Fukudo, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

Year

2011

Abstract

{\bf Keywords}: natural sound, salivary amylase, stress, tension-anxiety, extreme environment.

{\bf Purpose}: The study of stress response in extreme environment, the International Space Station, is needed. This study verified the hypothesis that the stimulation of natural sound reduces stress response.

{\bf Methods}: Subjects were 12 healthy males (18-23 years old). Two visual stimuli (Go/Nogo task, that demands concentration and control, or natural images) and two auditory stimuli (white noise or natural sound as the sound of a stream including occasional birdcall) made four combinations. These were randomized and presented for three minutes each. After the bed rest as baseline, the four conditions were provided from computers via a high resolution head mounted display and high-quality sound headphones. Electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, salivary amylase, and feelings (Profile of Mood States: POMS) were measured after each condition. 

{\bf Results}: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the salivary amylase disclosed significant period effect (p=0.005). The post-hoc multiple comparison tests of the amylase yielded significant reduction on natural sound. Natural images plus natural sound compared with natural images plus white noise (p=0.026), and Go/Nogo task plus natural sound compared with the task plus white noise (p=0.022). The one-way ANOVA of the Tension-Anxiety index of POMS test was also yielded a main effect (p=0.016). Natural sound significantly reduced Tension-Anxiety compared with white noise plus natural images (p<0.05), and also with the noise plus Go/Nogo task (p<0.05). The combination of natural sound plus natural images and natural sound plus Go/Nogo task decreased Tension-Anxiety index compared with the combination of Go/Nogo task plus white noise (p<0.05). Equally, comparing the combination of natural sound plus natural images and Go/Nogo task plus white noise (p<0.05), Go/Nogo task with natural sound and with white noise was also significantly different (p<0.05).

{\bf Conclusion}:  Listening to natural ambient sound reduced Tension-Anxiety and the salivary stress related substance, amylase. Therefore, the hypothesis was supported.

Abstract document

IAC-11,A1,1,8,x11288.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

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