Work

Psychophysiological restoration in natural versus built cultural environments: a Chinese field-EEG study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Prior research has highlighted the psychophysiological benefits of natural environments while underestimating the restorative potential of built cultural environments. Moreover, most evidence derives from laboratory studies with limited ecological validity. A field experiment compared the restorative effects of art museums and botanical gardens on psychophysiological states, using electroencephalogram (EEG) and the abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS). Key findings were: (1) Both environments enhanced psychophysiological well-being, with natural environments promoting physical restoration and built cultural environments fostering psychological restoration; (2) Natural environments more effectively reduced negative affect, whereas cultural environments more strongly increased positive affect; (3) Natural environments provided restorative benefits to a larger proportion of participants; (4) Changes in psychological indicators partially explained variations in physiological indicators. These results inform the strategic use of diverse environments to support mental and physical health and advance restoration research.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-40082-9

Authors: Genmao Wang, Shuangquan Zhang, Xianjie Chen

Institutions: Hunan Modern Logistics College, Central South University of Forestry and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Urban Green Space and Health

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690