Measurement Results of Healing Effects of a Boat Ride on the Agano River

(Field Report)

Abstract

To quantitatively evaluate the effects of pleasant stimulus from rivers on people's minds, we conducted AMI measurements and STAI (anxiety level) questionnaire surveys of 29 people in May 1998. The measurements were carried out before and after a one-hour boat ride on the lower reaches of the Agano River in Niigata. The results were as follows. The average AP value measured by AMI before the ride was 21.9μA and declined to 18.1 μA after it, which means that the subjects' parasympathetic nerves were functioning more. It is significantly different. In particular the average AP value for those in good physical condition was down by 6.3μA, from 22.7μA to 16.4μA. The average score of the STAI questionnaire surveys before the ride was 42.7, which also fell to 38.6 after the ride. This indicated that people became relaxed after the ride. The average score for those in good physical condition declined from 39.3 to 32.6, demonstrating remarkable healing effects. These results are significantly different. Some doctors and counselors who pay attention to healing effects of rivers are positively incorporating such favorable effects of rivers into rehabilitation. Our present good results should be seen in this light.