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Czakert J, Kandil FI, Boujnah H, Tavakolian P, Blakeslee SB, Stritter W, Dommisch H, Seifert G. Scenting serenity: influence of essential-oil vaporization on dental anxiety - a cluster-randomized, controlled, single-blinded study (AROMA_dent). Sci Rep 2024; 14:14143. [PMID: 38898054 PMCID: PMC11187188 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63657-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is known as an immense challenge in oral healthcare, which can result in compromised oral health, pain, and uncomfortable treatment. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of essential-oil vaporization on acute anxiety of patients in dental practices. Four dental practices used five weekly cycles of vaporization with each scent: Orange (Citrus sinensis), Swiss Pine (Pinus cembra), Good Mood (blended essential oils: Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus limon, Osmanthus fragrance (5%)), Forest Walk (blended essential oils: Abies grandis, Pinus cembra, Myrtus communis c. t. 1,8-cineol, Abies alba, Citrus paradisi, Abies sibirica, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Vetiveria zizanoides), and water. Acute anxiety was the primary outcome (state-trait-anxiety inventory (STAI-S)). Secondary outcomes were trait anxiety (STAI-T), dental anxiety (Kleinknecht dental fear survey), and pain perception in treatment (numeric rating scale). Across all patients (n = 486), STAI-S was slightly higher in the control group (40.7 ± 11.6) than in the intervention groups (38.4 ± 10.5). Post-hoc analyses revealed that the effect is only robust for the subgroup of female patients (n = 296, p = 0.044). We also conducted a post-hoc additional analysis on a subpopulation with an increased level of STAI-T ≥ 42 (n = 131 patients). For this group the difference in acute anxiety between the control group (51.1 ± 11.9, n = 30) vs. the intervention groups (46.8 ± 9.6, n = 118) was significant (T = 4.39, p = 0.0379). The results of the study indicate a promising potential of essential-oil vaporization to alleviate dental anxiety, particularly in the subgroups of patients with a high level of trait anxiety, and particularly in female patients. The calming effects of the essential-oil vaporization were also highlighted by the anecdotical statements of the dental-practice staff. The anxiety-reducing role of essential-oil vaporization alone and as one part of combined techniques to counter DFA should be further explored using multi-perspective methodological approaches in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Czakert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Research Group: Prevention, Integrative Medicine and Health Promotion, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Farid I Kandil
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hiba Boujnah
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Research Group: Prevention, Integrative Medicine and Health Promotion, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pantea Tavakolian
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Research Group: Prevention, Integrative Medicine and Health Promotion, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah B Blakeslee
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Research Group: Prevention, Integrative Medicine and Health Promotion, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wiebke Stritter
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Research Group: Prevention, Integrative Medicine and Health Promotion, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henrik Dommisch
- Department of Periodontology, Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, Dentistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Seifert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Research Group: Prevention, Integrative Medicine and Health Promotion, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Wang Y, Timms F, Li J, Yu H. Benefits of nature-based intervention in combating the impact of urbanization on psychopathology in industrialized societies. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2024; 37:202-211. [PMID: 38415720 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The assumption has been made that urbanization adversely affects mental health, primarily attributed to the lack of access to nature. Our objective is to examine whether nature-based interventions can reduce psychopathology within an urban setting. RECENT FINDINGS Nature-based interventions are generally categorized as either physical or virtual. Physical interventions engage participants in various activities like passive exposure, outdoor swimming, or physical activities in natural environments. On the other hand, virtual interventions expose participants to visual, auditory, or even olfactory stimuli to simulate natural environments. While most interventions achieved some degree of success in enhancing overall well being, not all demonstrated a significant reduction in depression and anxiety. SUMMARY The review identified a shortage of well designed and well implemented outdoor or virtual nature-based interventions. Longitudinal designs in physical nature-based interventions provided the strongest evidence for reducing anxiety and depression. Multisensory virtual nature-based interventions also show significant potential for alleviating anxiety and depression in urban dwellers. Conversely, brief nature-based interventions yielded inconsistent results in improving mental health. Urgent investment in high-quality interventions and research in this domain is imperative to inform policy and enhance overall mental health in urban settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Franklin Timms
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
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Vermeesch AL, Ellsworth-Kopkowski A, Prather JG, Passel C, Rogers HH, Hansen MM. Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): A Scoping Review of the Global Research on the Effects of Spending Time in Nature. GLOBAL ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND HEALTH 2024; 13:27536130241231258. [PMID: 38420597 PMCID: PMC10901062 DOI: 10.1177/27536130241231258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Background This Scoping review (ScR) builds upon the 2017 review conducted by Hansen et al which contributed to evidence base shinrin-yoku (SY), also known as forest bathing (FB), has many positive health effects and is becoming a prescribed dose (specific time spent in nature) by health care providers. Practice and research regarding SY, has been historically based in Asian countries with a recent increase in Europe. The need and call for more research worldwide continues to further the evidence of SY as a health promotion modality. Through this ScR the authors identified programmatic components, health information monitored and screened, time spent in nature, geographical regions, trends, and themes in SY research worldwide. Methods Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines we searched across 7 electronic databases for SY or FB research articles from 2017 through 2022. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, Embase, JSTOR were included due to the interdisciplinary nature of SY or FB research. Each database provided unique strengths ensuring a capture of a wide range of articles. The resulting articles were screened and extracted through Covidence. Results Database searches returned 241 results, with 110 references removed during the deduplication process, 131 were initially screened in the title and abstract review stage. Resulting in 82 unique results deemed relevant and screened in full text. During the final stage of the review, 63 articles met all inclusion criteria and were extracted for data. Conclusions The practice of SY has physiological (PHYS) and psychological (PSYCH) benefits across age groups. Research findings indicate either the natural or the virtual environment (VW) has significant health benefits. Continued research is encouraged globally for short- and long-term health outcomes for all individuals. The connection with nature benefits the mind, body and soul and is supported by Henry David Thoreau's philosophy: "Our livesneed the relief of where the pine flourishes and the jay still scream."
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L. Vermeesch
- Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration Coordinator, UNC Greensboro School of Nursing, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | | | - Jenifer G. Prather
- College of Nursing, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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Shu Y, Wu C, Zhai Y. Impacts of Landscape Type, Viewing Distance, and Permeability on Anxiety, Depression, and Stress. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9867. [PMID: 36011503 PMCID: PMC9408521 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19169867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Contact with nature is beneficial for mental health, including anxiety and stress. Exposure to virtual nature also has similar restorative traits with real nature. However, previous studies on the restorative environment mostly focus on ordinary people while caring less about patients with depressive disorders. Thus, the restorative impacts of virtual nature on patients with depression warrant examination. This research aims to study the restorative effects of virtual reality (VR) landscape type, viewing distance, and permeability on anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with depression. Study A revealed that the perceived restorative level of landscape type varies greatly: grassland > forest > water > undergrowth > urban square. Additionally, natural environments with higher openness, more green elements, more blue sky, and more sunshine exposure had higher restorative levels on perceived depression, anxiety, and stress relief. Study B found that the grassland landscape with a higher viewing distance and a medium vegetation edge permeability provides more restorative impacts for patients with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Shu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Energy-Saving Study of Dense Habitat, Department of Landscape Studies, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Urban Environments and Human Health Lab, HKUrbanlabs, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chengzhao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Energy-Saving Study of Dense Habitat, Department of Landscape Studies, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yujia Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Energy-Saving Study of Dense Habitat, Department of Landscape Studies, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Big Data and Urban Spatial Analytics LAB, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200092, China
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