Subjective Interactions of Wood-Derived Olfactory and Visual Stimuli During Work and Rest

Takashi Shima (), Katsuhiko Sakata and Yuko Tsunetsugu ()
Additional contact information
Takashi Shima: Kajima Technical Research Institute, Kajima Corporation, 2-19-1, Tobitakyu, Chofu-shi 182-0036, Japan
Katsuhiko Sakata: Kajima Technical Research Institute, Kajima Corporation, 2-19-1, Tobitakyu, Chofu-shi 182-0036, Japan
Yuko Tsunetsugu: Department of Biomaterial Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku 113-8657, Japan

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of wood-derived visual and olfactory stimuli on subjective evaluations during work and rest. Twelve participants experienced seven conditions involving walnut panel interiors, Hinoki cypress scents, or their combination, introduced during either work or rest phases. A within-subjects design was used to assess spatial impressions, mood states, and fatigue. Visual stimuli significantly improved visual impressions across items such as “settling–unsettling” and “luxurious–simple” ( p < 0.05). The Hinoki scent enhanced olfactory impressions and, when introduced during rest, reduced negative mood states including “Anger–Hostility” and “Confusion–Bewilderment” ( p < 0.05). Combined stimuli further improved scent impressions ( p < 0.1), suggesting cross-modal effects. However, their introduction during work increased “Anger–Hostility” ( p < 0.05), highlighting the importance of context. Although the within-subjects design supports internal validity, the small sample size ( n = 12) limits generalizability. These findings provide insight into the context-sensitive use of wood-derived sensory elements in workplace design.

Keywords: wood-derived stimuli; impression; mood states; fatigue; workplace design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/5/724/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/5/724/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:5:p:724-:d:1648173

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().