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Effect of Scents on Gazing Behavior and Choice. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12146899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Environmental stimuli can have a significant impact on our decisions. Elements of the store atmosphere, such as music, lights and smells, all have effects on choices, but these have been only vaguely investigated. In the present study, we aim to uncover the effect of strawberry scent on the gazing behavior and choices of the 62 recruited participants. A static eye-tracker was used to study the effect of scent, released by a diffuser. In total, 31 participants completed the study under odorless conditions, while another 31 participants had strawberry fragrance sprayed into the air. The objectives of the study were (1) to determine whether the most gazed-upon product in each of the four categories (chocolate, tea, muesli bar, yoghurt) was chosen, (2) whether the presence of the strawberry scent influenced consumer decision making, i.e., whether the strawberry scent influenced more people to choose strawberry-flavored products, and (3) to introduce the application of a fast and easy-to-use technique for the qualitative analysis of strawberry aroma present in the air during eye-tracking measurements. The results show that (1) participants chose the product they had studied the longest, for all four categories, and (2) the presence or absence of the scent had no significant effect on choice, with the same frequencies of choosing each product in the two conditions regardless of the flavor of the products.
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Du B, Schwartz-Narbonne H, Tandoc M, Heffernan EM, Mack ML, Siegel JA. The impact of emissions from an essential oil diffuser on cognitive performance. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12919. [PMID: 34709668 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Essential oil products are increasingly used in indoor environments and have been found to negatively contribute to indoor air quality. Moreover, the chemicals and fragrances emitted by those products may affect the central nervous system and cognitive function. This study uses a double-blind between-subject design to investigate the cognitive impact of exposure to the emissions from essential oil used in an ultrasonic diffuser. In a simulated office environment where other environmental parameters were maintained constant, 34 female and 25 male university students were randomly allocated into four essential oil exposure scenarios. The first two scenarios contrast lemon oil to pure deionized water, while the latter two focus on different levels of particulate matter differentiated by HEPA filters with non-scented grapeseed oil as the source. Cognitive function was assessed using a computer-based battery consisting of five objective tests that involve reasoning, response inhabitation, memory, risk-taking, and decision-making. Results show that exposure to essential oil emissions caused shortened reaction time at the cost of significantly worse response inhabitation control and memory sensitivity, indicating potentially more impulsive decision-making. The cognitive responses caused by scented lemon oil and non-scented grapeseed oil were similar, as was the perception of odor pleasantness and intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Du
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Marlie Tandoc
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emily M Heffernan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael L Mack
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey A Siegel
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Okrasa M, Szulc J, Brochocka A, Gutarowska B. Application of Olfactometry to Assess the Anti-Odor Properties of Filtering Facepiece Respirators Containing Activated Carbon Nonwovens. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18158157. [PMID: 34360450 PMCID: PMC8346067 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18158157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) with anti-odor properties are used to reduce odor nuisance occurring both in everyday life and at workplaces. Unfortunately, there are no standardized methods to measure the efficiency of odor reduction of such personal protective devices. This paper aims to determine whether olfactometric-based methods, commonly used in environmental studies, can be employed for this purpose. The proposed procedure is based on the detection of n-butanol by study participants, and it consists of three subsequent stages: (i) defining the individual levels of odor sensitivity of each study participant; (ii) determining THE odor detection level while using FFRs with varying anti-odor properties; and (iii) completing a questionnaire concerning the subjective perceptions of study participants. As a measure of odor reduction efficiency, a coefficient W, defined as a quotient of the degree of odor reduction by the FFR, and the individual odor sensitivity of the subject, was proposed. The experimental results showed the ability of our measure to differentiate the effectiveness of odor reduction of tested FFRs. This indicates that it can be potentially employed as the assessment tool to confirm the effectiveness of such respiratory protective devices as a control measure mitigating the adverse effects of malodors on workers’ health, cognition, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Okrasa
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labor Protection—National Research Institute, Wierzbowa 48, 90-133 Łódź, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-426480223
| | - Justyna Szulc
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Łódź, Poland; (J.S.); (B.G.)
| | - Agnieszka Brochocka
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labor Protection—National Research Institute, Wierzbowa 48, 90-133 Łódź, Poland;
| | - Beata Gutarowska
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Łódź, Poland; (J.S.); (B.G.)
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Barros F, Soares SC. Giving meaning to the social world in autism spectrum disorders: Olfaction as a missing piece of the puzzle? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 116:239-250. [PMID: 32562688 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Altered social cognition is a core feature of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). These impairments have been explained as the consequence of compromised social motivational mechanisms that limit social interest and activate a cascade of social deficits. Following this rational, we argue that approaches capable of surpassing ASD usual restraints (e.g., deficits in verbal abilities), and able to assign social meaning, could be more effective at responding to these difficulties. In this framework, we propose that olfaction, as well as cross-modal integration strategies involving both visual and olfactory domains, may have such potential. In fact, most of socioemotional processing deficits in ASD have been shown in an uni-modal perspective, mainly with visual stimuli. However, the social environment involves other modalities and is typically multisensorial. Given the potential of olfaction as a gateway for socioemotional information in ASD, we argue in favor of studying olfactory perception, as well as visuo-olfactory integration, given the potential of these approaches to drive effective interventions and give the access to a meaningful social world in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Barros
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; William James Center for Research (WJCR), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sandra C Soares
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; William James Center for Research (WJCR), Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychology, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 9, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Abstract
Theorizing around the topic of attention and its role in human information processing largely emerged out of research on the so-called spatial senses: vision, audition, and to a lesser extent, touch. Thus far, the chemical senses have received far less research interest (or should that be attention) from those experimental psychologists and cognitive neuroscientists interested in the topic. Nevertheless, this review highlights the key role that attentional selection also plays in chemosensory information processing and awareness. Indeed, many of the same theoretical approaches/experimental paradigms that were originally developed in the context of the spatial senses, can be (and in some cases already have been) extended to provide a useful framework for thinking about the perception of taste/flavour. Furthermore, a number of those creative individuals interested in modifying the perception of taste/flavour by manipulating product-extrinsic cues (such as, for example, music in the case of sonic seasoning) are increasingly looking to attentional accounts in order to help explain the empirical phenomena that they are starting to uncover. However, separate from its role in explaining sonic seasoning, gaining a better understanding of the role of attentional distraction in modulating our eating/drinking behaviours really ought to be a topic of growing societal concern. This is because distracted diners (e.g., those who eat while watching TV, fiddling with a mobile device or smartphone, or even while driving) consume significantly more than those who mindfully pay attention to the sensations associated with eating and drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Spence
- Crossmodal Research Laboratory, Department of Experimental Psychology, Anna Watts Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
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Heine L, Tillmann B, Hauet M, Juliat A, Dubois A, Laureys S, Kandel M, Plailly J, Luauté J, Perrin F. Effects of preference and sensory modality on behavioural reaction in patients with disorders of consciousness. Brain Inj 2017; 31:1307-1311. [PMID: 28534673 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2017.1306108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reliable evaluation of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) or in a minimally conscious state (MCS) remains a major challenge. It has been suggested that the expression of residual cerebral function could be improved by allowing patients to listen to their favourite music. However, the potential effect of music on behavioural responsiveness, as well as the effect of preferred stimuli in other sensory modalities (e.g. olfaction), remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of sensory modality (auditory versus olfactory) and preference (preferred versus neutral) of the test stimuli on patients' subsequent performance on the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). RESEARCH DESIGN Within-subject design because of inter-individual differences between patients. METHODS AND PROCEDURES We studied four items from the CRS-R (visual pursuit using a mirror, auditory localization of the own name and two movements to command) in 13 patients (7 MCS; 6 UWS). MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS Auditory stimuli triggered higher responsiveness compared to olfactory stimuli, and preferred stimuli were followed by higher scores than did neutral stimuli. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that preferred auditory stimuli at the bedside contribute to the expression of residual function and could improve the diagnostic assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Heine
- a Auditory Cognition and Psychoacoustics Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center , Lyon , France.,b Coma Science Group, GIGA, Neurology Department , University and University Hospital of Liège , Liège , Belgium
| | - B Tillmann
- a Auditory Cognition and Psychoacoustics Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center , Lyon , France
| | - M Hauet
- a Auditory Cognition and Psychoacoustics Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center , Lyon , France.,c Centre Germaine Revel, Saint-Maurice-sur-Dargoire , France
| | - A Juliat
- a Auditory Cognition and Psychoacoustics Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center , Lyon , France.,d Hospices Civils de Lyon, Service de Rééducation Neurologique, Mouvement et Handicap, Lyon University Hospital, Lyon , France
| | - A Dubois
- d Hospices Civils de Lyon, Service de Rééducation Neurologique, Mouvement et Handicap, Lyon University Hospital, Lyon , France
| | - S Laureys
- b Coma Science Group, GIGA, Neurology Department , University and University Hospital of Liège , Liège , Belgium
| | - M Kandel
- c Centre Germaine Revel, Saint-Maurice-sur-Dargoire , France
| | - J Plailly
- e Coding and Olfactory Memory Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center , Lyon , France
| | - J Luauté
- d Hospices Civils de Lyon, Service de Rééducation Neurologique, Mouvement et Handicap, Lyon University Hospital, Lyon , France.,f Integrative Multisensory Perception Action and Cognition Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center , Lyon , France
| | - F Perrin
- a Auditory Cognition and Psychoacoustics Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center , Lyon , France
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Babulka P, Berkes T, Szemerszky R, Köteles F. No effects of rosemary and lavender essential oil and a placebo pill on sustained attention, alertness, and heart rate. FLAVOUR FRAG J 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ffj.3392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tímea Berkes
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences; Eötvös Loránd University; Hungary
| | - Renáta Szemerszky
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences; Eötvös Loránd University; Hungary
| | - Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences; Eötvös Loránd University; Hungary
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Wolkoff P, Nielsen GD. Effects by inhalation of abundant fragrances in indoor air - An overview. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 101:96-107. [PMID: 28126407 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Odorous compounds (odors) like fragrances may cause adverse health effects. To assess their importance by inhalation, we have reviewed how the four major abundant and common airborne fragrances (α-pinene (APN), limonene (LIM), linalool (LIL), and eugenol (EUG)) impact the perceived indoor air quality as odor annoyance, sensory irritation and sensitization in the airways. Breathing and cardiovascular effects, and work performance, and the impact in the airways of ozone-initiated gas- and particle phase reactions products have also been assessed. Measured maximum indoor concentrations for APN, LIM and LIL are close to or above their odor thresholds, but far below their thresholds for sensory irritation in the eyes and upper airways; no information could be traced for EUG. Likewise, reported risk values for long-term effects are far above reported indoor concentrations. Human exposure studies with mixtures of APN and LIM and supported by animal inhalation models do not support sensitization of the airways at indoor levels by inhalation that include other selected fragrances. Human exposure studies, in general, indicate that reported lung function effects are likely due to the perception rather than toxic effects of the fragrances. In general, effects on the breathing rate and mood by exposure to the fragrances are inconclusive. The fragrances may increase the high-frequency heart rate variability, but aerosol exposure during cleaning activities may result in a reduction. Distractive effects influencing the work performance by fragrance/odor exposure are consistently reported, but their persistence over time is unknown. Mice inhalation studies indicate that LIM or its reaction mixture may possess anti-inflammatory properties. There is insufficient information that ozone-initiated reactions with APN or LIM at typical indoor levels cause airway effects in humans. Limited experimental information is available on long-term effects of ozone-initiated reaction products of APN and LIM at typical indoor levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Gunnar D Nielsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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Brand G, Schaal B. [Olfaction in depressive disorders: Issues and perspectives]. Encephale 2016; 43:176-182. [PMID: 27623124 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Research on sensorial interactions with psychiatric diseases and particularly with the depressive syndrome has mainly focused on visual or auditory processes and much less on olfaction. The depressive illness is one of the most frequent psychiatric diagnoses in the community, with approximately one in five women and one in eight men experiencing a major depressive episode during their lifetime. Although genetic, epigenetic, neuroanatomical, neurochemical, neuroendocrinological and neuroimmunological changes can be detected during depression, the etiology of depression remains partly unclear. The current explanatory models are based on two main factors, i.e. pharmacological dysfunctions and stress effects. In this way and because of strong connections between olfactory pathways and cerebral areas implied in mood regulation and emotions (i.e. the limbic system and prefrontal areas), the interactions between olfaction and depression could constitute a relevant way of research at three different levels. First, olfactory dysfunction observed in depression could serve the diagnosis and contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms implied in thymic pathologies. Published papers show a decrease of olfactory sensitivity in major depression which does not occur in bipolar or saisonal depression. Second, it has been shown that olfactory deficits could induce depressive symptoms. In this context, an animal model (olfactory bulbectomized rat) reinforces the hypothesis of the important role of olfaction in depression based on neuroanatomical and neurochemical observations. Third, several publications have demonstrated that odors can positively impact the depressive mood. Thus, a remediation by odors in depression appears to be a promising way. From several decades, the olfaction/depression interactions have been covered by a broad literature. Thus, the present review will not propose an exhaustive examination but aims to point out the most recently published papers and highlight their contributions to the understanding of olfactory processes implied in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Brand
- Département neurosciences, université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, place Leclerc, 25000 Besançon, France; Centre des sciences du goût et de l'alimentation, CNRS, laboratoire d'éthologie développementale et de psychologie cognitive, université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (UMR 6265), 9E, boulevard Jeanne-d'Arc, 21000 Dijon, France.
| | - B Schaal
- Centre des sciences du goût et de l'alimentation, CNRS, laboratoire d'éthologie développementale et de psychologie cognitive, université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (UMR 6265), 9E, boulevard Jeanne-d'Arc, 21000 Dijon, France.
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Brand G, Thiabaud F, Dray N. Influence of Ambient Odors on Time Perception in a Retrospective Paradigm. Percept Mot Skills 2016; 122:799-811. [PMID: 27194618 DOI: 10.1177/0031512516647716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Environmental stimuli can influence time perception, including sensory stimulations. Among them, odors are known to modulate emotion, attention, behavior, or performance, but few studies have investigated the possible effects of ambient odors on time perception. Thus, the present study aimed to compare in a retrospective paradigm the time estimation in three conditions, i.e., with phenyl ethyl alcohol as a pleasant odor, pyridine as unpleasant odor, and a control condition without ambient odor. A total of 90 participants (M age = 23 years, 10 months) took part in three different tasks, i.e., an aesthetic classification task, a sensorimotor checking task, and a mathematical operations task. Results showed a better accuracy of the time estimation in odor condition (1) independently of the characteristics of odorants (2) limited to tasks with a low cognitive involvement. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible role of attention and arousal in the modulation of time perception by ambient odors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gérard Brand
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation (CSGA) Dijon, France; Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - F Thiabaud
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation (CSGA) Dijon, France; Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - N Dray
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation (CSGA) Dijon, France; Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
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Visually induced motion sickness can be alleviated by pleasant odors. Exp Brain Res 2015; 233:1353-64. [PMID: 25633319 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-015-4209-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) is a common side effect in virtual environments and simulators. Several countermeasures against VIMS exist, but a reliable method to prevent or ease VIMS is unfortunately still missing. In the present study, we tested whether olfactory cues can alleviate VIMS. Sixty-two participants were exposed to a 15-min-long video showing a first-person-view bicycle ride that had successfully induced VIMS in previous studies. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups; the first group was exposed to a pleasant odor (rose) while watching the video, the second group was exposed to an unpleasant odor (leather), and the third group was not exposed to any odor. VIMS was measured using a verbal rating scale (0-20) and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Results showed that only half of the participants who were exposed to the odor did notice it (n = 21), whereas the other half failed to detect the odor. However, among those participants who did notice the odor, the rose scent significantly reduced the severity of VIMS compared to the group that did not notice the odor. A moderate positive correlation between odor sensitivity and VIMS showed that participants with higher odor sensitivity also reported stronger VIMS. Our results demonstrate that olfaction can modulate VIMS and that a pleasant odor can potentially reduce VIMS. The relationship between olfactory perception, olfactory sensibility, and VIMS is discussed.
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Köteles F, Babulka P. Role of expectations and pleasantness of essential oils in their acute effects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 101:329-40. [DOI: 10.1556/aphysiol.101.2014.3.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Dissociable yet tied inhibitory processes: The structure of inhibitory control. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2014; 14:1026-40. [DOI: 10.3758/s13415-013-0242-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Toet A, van Schaik MG. Visual attention for a desktop virtual environment with ambient scent. Front Psychol 2013; 4:883. [PMID: 24324453 PMCID: PMC3840790 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current study participants explored a desktop virtual environment (VE) representing a suburban neighborhood with signs of public disorder (neglect, vandalism, and crime), while being exposed to either room air (control group), or subliminal levels of tar (unpleasant; typically associated with burned or waste material) or freshly cut grass (pleasant; typically associated with natural or fresh material) ambient odor. They reported all signs of disorder they noticed during their walk together with their associated emotional response. Based on recent evidence that odors reflexively direct visual attention to (either semantically or affectively) congruent visual objects, we hypothesized that participants would notice more signs of disorder in the presence of ambient tar odor (since this odor may bias attention to unpleasant and negative features), and less signs of disorder in the presence of ambient grass odor (since this odor may bias visual attention toward the vegetation in the environment and away from the signs of disorder). Contrary to our expectations the results provide no indication that the presence of an ambient odor affected the participants' visual attention for signs of disorder or their emotional response. However, the paradigm used in present study does not allow us to draw any conclusions in this respect. We conclude that a closer affective, semantic, or spatiotemporal link between the contents of a desktop VE and ambient scents may be required to effectively establish diagnostic associations that guide a user's attention. In the absence of these direct links, ambient scent may be more diagnostic for the physical environment of the observer as a whole than for the particular items in that environment (or, in this case, items represented in the VE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Toet
- TNO Soesterberg, Netherlands ; Department of Information and Computing Sciences, University Utrecht Utrecht, Netherlands
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Toet A, van Schaik M, Theunissen NCM. No effect of ambient odor on the affective appraisal of a desktop virtual environment with signs of disorder. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78721. [PMID: 24250810 PMCID: PMC3826728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Desktop virtual environments (VEs) are increasingly deployed to study the effects of environmental qualities and interventions on human behavior and safety related concerns in built environments. For these applications it is essential that users appraise the affective qualities of the VE similar to those of its real world counterpart. Previous studies have shown that factors like simulated lighting, sound and dynamic elements all contribute to the affective appraisal of a desktop VE. Since ambient odor is known to affect the affective appraisal of real environments, and has been shown to increase the sense of presence in immersive VEs, it may also be an effective tool to tune the affective appraisal of desktop VEs. This study investigated if exposure to ambient odor can modulate the affective appraisal of a desktop VE with signs of public disorder. Method Participants explored a desktop VE representing a suburban neighborhood with signs of public disorder (neglect, vandalism and crime), while being exposed to either room air or subliminal levels of unpleasant (tar) or pleasant (cut grass) ambient odor. Whenever they encountered signs of disorder they reported their safety related concerns and associated affective feelings. Results Signs of crime in the desktop VE were associated with negative affective feelings and concerns for personal safety and personal property. However, there was no significant difference between reported safety related concerns and affective connotations in the control (no-odor) and in each of the two ambient odor conditions. Conclusion Ambient odor did not affect safety related concerns and affective connotations associated with signs of disorder in the desktop VE. Thus, semantic congruency between ambient odor and a desktop VE may not be sufficient to influence its affective appraisal, and a more realistic simulation in which simulated objects appear to emit scents may be required to achieve this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Toet
- Perceptual and Cognitive Systems, TNO, Soesterberg, The Netherlands ; Department of Information and Computing Sciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Schreiber T, White TL. Detect, Reject, Focus: The Role of Satiation and Odor Relevance in Cross-Modal Attention. CHEMOSENS PERCEPT 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s12078-013-9158-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Juran SA, van Thriel C, Kleinbeck S, Schäper M, Falkenstein M, Iregren A, Johanson G. Neurobehavioral performance in human volunteers during inhalation exposure to the unpleasant local irritant cyclohexylamine. Neurotoxicology 2012; 33:1180-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Revised: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Wolkoff P. Indoor air pollutants in office environments: assessment of comfort, health, and performance. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2012; 216:371-94. [PMID: 22954455 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2012.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Revised: 07/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/05/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in office environments are generally too low to cause sensory irritation in the eyes and airways on the basis of estimated thresholds for sensory irritation. Furthermore, effects in the lungs, e.g. inflammatory effects, have not been substantiated at indoor relevant concentrations. Some VOCs, including formaldehyde, in combination may under certain environmental and occupational conditions result in reported sensory irritation. The odour thresholds of several VOCs are low enough to influence the perceived air quality that result in a number of acute effects from reported sensory irritation in eyes and airways and deterioration of performance. The odour perception (air quality) depends on a number of factors that may influence the odour impact. There is neither clear indication that office dust particles may cause sensory effects, even not particles spiked with glucans, aldehydes or phthalates, nor lung effects; some inflammatory effects may be observed among asthmatics. Ozone-initiated terpene reaction products may be of concern in ozone-enriched environments (≥0.1mg/m(3)) and elevated limonene concentrations, partly due to the production of formaldehyde. Ambient particles may cause cardio-pulmonary effects, especially in susceptible people (e.g. elderly and sick people); even, short-term effects, e.g. from traffic emission and candle smoke may possibly have modulating and delayed effects on the heart, but otherwise adverse effects in the airways and lung functions have not been observed. Secondary organic aerosols generated in indoor ozone-initiated terpene reactions appear not to cause adverse effects in the airways; rather the gaseous products are relevant. Combined exposure to particles and ozone may evoke effects in subgroups of asthmatics. Based on an analysis of thresholds for odour and sensory irritation selected compounds are recommended for measurements to assess the indoor air quality and to minimize reports of irritation symptoms, deteriorated performance, and cardiovascular and pulmonary effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Kato Y, Endo H, Kobayakawa T, Kato K, Kitazaki S. Effects of intermittent odours on cognitive-motor performance and brain functioning during mental fatigue. ERGONOMICS 2012; 55:1-11. [PMID: 22176480 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2011.633175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Effects of intermittent presentation of odours on cognitive-motor performance and brain activity during mental fatigue were examined using event-related brain potentials. Participants performed a Go/NoGo task for 60 min, in both odour and air control conditions. The time-on-task reaction time increase was significantly smaller in the odour condition than in the air control condition. Go- and NoGo-P3 amplitudes were larger in the presence of odours than during the air control, during mental fatigue. There were no effects of odours on error negativity (Ne)/error-related negativity (ERN) amplitude and latency. These results suggest that the presence of intermittent odours improves attentional/effortful control of response selection, and that this effect mitigates the deterioration of cognitive-motor performance during mental fatigue. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY The present study provides evidence for a potentially effective strategy, the use of odours, to mitigate deficits in cognitive-motor performance during time-on-task. The results show that the presence of intermittent odours is an efficient tool for maintenance of attention and reaction time during a prolonged task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Kato
- Faculty of Human Sciences, University of East Asia , Shimonoseki, 751-8503, Japan.
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La Buissonnière-Ariza V, Frasnelli J, Collignon O, Lepore F. Olfactory priming leads to faster sound localization. Neurosci Lett 2011; 506:188-92. [PMID: 22094382 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2011.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cross-modal interactions between vision, audition and touch have been extensively studied in the last decade. However, our understanding of how the chemical senses interact with other sensory modalities remains relatively scarce. We performed a cued auditory localization paradigm in healthy young adults by measuring reaction times to monaural auditory stimuli after subjects had been cued by unilateral olfactory stimuli, mixed olfactory/trigeminal stimuli or somatosensory stimuli. As expected, all cuing conditions led to enhanced performances in auditory localization. Further, both odors led to significantly shorter reaction times when compared to the somatosensory stimuli. We did not observe any effect of side-congruency between the cues and the targets. These results suggest facilitative effects of odorous cues independent of a possible trigeminal component in the interaction between olfaction and audition.
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Cognitive facilitation following intentional odor exposure. SENSORS 2011; 11:5469-88. [PMID: 22163909 PMCID: PMC3231408 DOI: 10.3390/s110505469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2011] [Revised: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper reviews evidence that, in addition to incidental olfactory pollutants, intentional odor delivery can impact cognitive operations both positively and negatively. Evidence for cognitive facilitation/interference is reviewed alongside four potential explanations for odor-induced effects. It is concluded that the pharmacological properties of odors can induce changes in cognition. However, these effects can be accentuated/attenuated by the shift in mood following odor exposure, expectancy of cognitive effects, and cues to behavior via the contextual association with the odor. It is proposed that greater consideration is required in the intentional utilization of odors within both industrial and private locations, since differential effects are observed for odors with positive hedonic qualities.
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Seigneuric A, Durand K, Jiang T, Baudouin JY, Schaal B. The nose tells it to the eyes: crossmodal associations between olfaction and vision. Perception 2011; 39:1541-54. [PMID: 21313950 DOI: 10.1068/p6740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Crossmodal linkage between the olfactory and visual senses is still largely underexplored. In this study, we investigated crossmodal olfactory-visual associations by testing whether and how visual processing of objects is affected by the presence of olfactory cues. To this end, we explored the influence of prior learned associations between an odour (eg odour of orange) and a visual stimulus naturally associated with that odour (picture of orange) on the movements of the eyes over a complex scene. Participants were asked to freely explore a photograph containing an odour-related visual cue embedded among other objects while being exposed to the corresponding odour (subjects were unaware of the presence of the odour). Eye movements were recorded to analyse the order and distribution of fixations on each object of the scene. Our data show that the odour-related visual cue was explored faster and for a shorter time in the presence of the congruent odour. These findings suggest that odours can affect visual processing by attracting attention to the possible odour source and by facilitating its identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Seigneuric
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, UMR6265 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne, INRA, Agrosup Dijon, 21000 Dijon, France.
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Wolkoff P. "Healthy" eye in office-like environments. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2008; 34:1204-1214. [PMID: 18499257 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2008.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2007] [Revised: 04/15/2008] [Accepted: 04/16/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Eye irritation symptoms, e.g. dry eyes, are common and abundant symptoms reported in office-like environments, e.g. aircraft cabins. To improve the understanding of indoor related eye symptomatology, relevant knowledge from the ophthalmological and indoor environmental science literature has been merged. A number of environmental (relative humidity, temperature, draft), occupational (e.g. visual display unit work), and individual (e.g. gender, use of cosmetics, and medication) risk factors have been identified, which are associated with alteration of the precorneal tear film (PTF); these factors may subsequently exacerbate development of eye irritation symptoms by desiccation. Low relative humidity including reduced atmospheric pressure further increases the water evaporation from an altered PTF; in addition, work with visual display units may destabilize the PTF by lower eye blink frequency and larger ocular surface. Results from epidemiological and clinical studies support that relative humidity >40% is beneficial for the PTF. Only few pollutants reach high enough indoor concentrations to cause sensory irritation of the eyes, while an altered PTF may exacerbate their sensory effect. Sustained low relative humidity causes impairment of the PTF, while its stability, including work performance, is retained by low gaze and intermittent breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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Michael GA, Rolhion P. Cool colors: color-induced nasal thermal sensations. Neurosci Lett 2008; 436:141-4. [PMID: 18372109 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2007] [Revised: 03/04/2008] [Accepted: 03/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We asked subjects to sniff a bottle containing distilled water and to say whether they felt a cooling or warming sensation in the nasal cavity. Odorless food coloring was added to three of these bottles so as to obtain one yellow, one green, one red and one colorless solution. Subjects were presented with each bottle four times under free viewing conditions or while blindfolded, and each nostril was tested separately. Although no thermal stimulus was present, subjects reported thermal sensations, but only under free viewing conditions. The nature of these sensations depended on the color of the solution, with green inducing cooling and red warming sensations. It also depended on which nostril was tested, with warming sensations evidenced only when the left nostril was tested, and cooling sensations only when the right nostril was tested. It is the first time color has been reported to induce nasal thermal sensations in the absence of thermal stimuli. These results are therefore entirely new. Furthermore, they suggest that thermosensory processing and judgment may depend on lateralized processes in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Michael
- University Lyon 2, Dpt Cognitive Experimental Psychology & Neuropsychology, Laboratoire d'Etude des Mécanismes Cognitifs, 5 Avenue Pierre Mendès-France, 69676 Bron Cedex, Lyon, France.
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