Physiological effects of wood on humans: a review

• Published in: Journal of wood science Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 1 - 23
• Main Authors: Ikei, Harumi, Song, Chorong, Miyazaki, Yoshifumi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer Japan 01.02.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Blood pressure; Brain; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Design of experiments; Experimental design; forests; Heart rate; humans; Infrared spectra; Infrared spectroscopy; Life Sciences; Materials Science; Near infrared radiation; near-infrared spectroscopy; Physiological effects; Physiology; Review Article; therapeutics; Touch; Visual stimuli; Wood; Wood Science & Technology; Human; Wood; Brain activity; Physiological effect; Autonomic nervous activity
• ISSN: 1435-0211; 1611-4663
• DOI: 10.1007/s10086-016-1597-9

It is empirically known that wood can cause a comfort enhancement effect in humans. On the other hand, not enough scientific knowledge based on evidence-based research is available on this subject. However, data using physiological indices have increasingly accumulated in recent years. This review provides an overview of the current situation for peer-reviewed reports related to the physiological effects of wood. We reviewed reports that elucidated the effects of wood-derived stimulations on the olfactory, visual, auditory, and tactile sensations using physiological indices such as brain activity (e.g., near-infrared spectroscopy) and autonomic nervous activity (e.g., heart rate variability and blood pressure). It became clear that many studies were limited by (1) a small number of participants, mostly aged in their 20s; (2) use of only a single stimulus (e.g., only olfactory or only visual), or (3) an incomplete experimental design. In addition, this review examined the field of forest therapy, for which there is abundant research. Further study is needed to elucidate the physiological effects of wood on humans.