The effects of different sound environments on physiological stress recovery and perceived Restorativeness Massimiliano Masullo 1 Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Via San Lorenzo, 81031 Aversa (Italy) Roxana Adina Toma 2 Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Via San Lorenzo, 81031 Aversa (Italy) Juan Miguel Navarro Ruiz 3

Research Group in Advanced Telecommunications (GRITA), UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Guadalupe, Spain. Jorge Hernandez Bellot 4 Research Group in Advanced Telecommunications (GRITA), UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Guadalupe, Spain Luigi Maffei 5 Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Via San Lorenzo, 81031 Aversa (Italy) ABSTRACT In a threatening situation, various physiological and psychological processes are activated. In particular, the activation of the sympathetic nervous system has been found to be related with the increase in heart rate, electrodermal activity, and negative emotions. According to Ulrich's theory, stress recovery involves physiological and psychological components, while the recharging of anabolic energy involved in the psychophysiological response to a stress factor falls under the broader concept of Restorativeness. Indoor, outdoor, natural, and built environments can affect differently stress recovery and perceived Restorativeness. Through a test conducted within the Catholic University of San Antonio campus in Murcia (UCAM), this still ongoing study investigates the changes of some physiological variables and subjective assessment in different multisensory environmental conditions (i.e., acoustic, temperature, relative humidity) and presents some preliminary results.

1 massimiliano.masullo@unicampania.it

2 roxanaadinatoma@unicampania.it

3 jmnavarro@ucam.edu

4 johernandez@ucam.edu

5 luigi.maffei@unicampania.it

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1. INTRODUCTION

A series of physiological and psychological processes are set in motion in a potentially threatening situation. From a physiological point of view, steroid hormones are released in the endocrine system, and the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is activated. It acts on the cardiovascular system by increasing heart rate and electrodermal activity. From a psychological point of view, it engenders emotions such as fear, anger, sadness. According to Roger Ulrich's theory of recovery from environmental stress, recovery from stress involves both the physiological and psychological components, while the recharge of anabolic energy involved in the psychophysiological response to a stress factor falls within the broader concept of Restorativeness [1]. The latter is closely linked to some environmental characteristics [2] or the presence of trees, green plants, flowers [3, 4], water elements (e.g. basins, fountains, streams and waterfalls) [5-7] and historical, artistic elements [8]. In fact, the daily external and internal, natural, and urban environments can have different influences on recovery from stress and perceived Restorativeness. Natural sounds, for example, induce a quicker recovery from stress than a quiet courtyard or road traffic noise [9]. The benefits brought by peaceful and natural environments on the psychophysical state of man, in fact, are well known in the literature [10-13]. Generally, these environments are identified with urban parks and other urban spaces [14-16]. To investigate the potential effects of internal and external, natural or urban environments can be used the monitoring of physiological responses (Heart Rate, Electrodermal Activity, Respiration Rate) [17-19], or as shown in many studies in the literature [20-23] the Recovery theory of Kaplan's Attention (ART) [10] and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale, proposed by Hartig [24], or its variations [25, 26]. According to Kaplan's Attention Recovery theory [10], and the studies of Korpela & Hartig [24], an environment is restorative if it is perceived as a different place than usual (Being Away), it is interesting and fascinating (Effortless attention or Fascination), it is physically or conceptually coherent environment that sustains exploration and interpretation (Coherence, from Extent), it is perceived to be possible to enter and spend time in (Scope, from Extent), and is compatible with people's expectations (Compatibility). Through a test conducted within the Catholic University of San Antonio campus in Murcia (UCAM), Spain, this ongoing study investigates the changes of some physiological variables and subjective assessment in different multisensory environmental conditions (i.e., acoustic, temperature, relative humidity). More specifically, were investigated six sites, including a cloister and a cafeteria. 2. METHODOLOGY

2.1. Area of study Among the different sites under investigation, in this study, we will focus on the cloister and the cafeteria (Figure 1). The cloister is a quadrangular space on the monastery's ground floor with four facades that incorporate various ornamental elements, such as the papal shield carried by angels with St. Peter symbols, the shield of the Founder D. Alonso de Vozmediano, the cardinal's hat, and the lion (all symbols associated with the Order of the Monks of San Girolamo). The green space of the cloisters filled with trees, plants, and grass, also houses a centuries-old collection of bonsai and water elements. On the other hand, the cafeteria is a space exclusively used by the university community and is divided into two parts linked to self-service services. Only one of the two spaces was used for the study; that is, the larger space directly connected to the cafeteria entrance.

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Figure 1: The selected sites for this study: left) cloister, right) cafeteria.

2.2. Acquisition of data and materials During the last three months of 2021, at the various sites measurements were taken to characterize the various environmental conditions (sound levels, L Aeq ; temperature, t a ; and relative humidity, RH), physiological measurements to study the physiological changes (electrodermal activity, heart rate, and respiratory rate), and subjective evaluations through a specific questionnaire. In situ measurements lasting 10 minutes were performed with a sound level meter (RION NL-05) to acquire data relating to the main acoustic parameters. Additional, sound recordings were carried out using a Zoom H4n portable recorder), and temperature and relative humidity data were collected using a weather station (STARBLITZ TH-592). All the data were noted using a specific datasheet. The Equivital TM Life monitor system and the LabChart 8 software collected physiological signals. The Sensor Electronics Module (SEM) was set up using the Equivital Manager software, with the clinical mode for heart rate and selecting a 16 Hz sample rate for EDA data acquisition. Each site had observation and monitoring days to determine the best times for data collection and administration of the subjective questionnaires. The perception of the site was studied through the administration of a subjective questionnaire in situ, which included the following sections: 1) the socio-demographic questionnaire; 2) the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale and 3) the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS-11). Three different periods have been identified throughout the day for the cloister (09.10, 11.20, 16.00) as they are not very variable in terms of activities and people. On the other hand, due to the varying turnout of people throughout the day, the most peaceful (QUIET) and the liveliest (VIBRANT) moments were identified for the cafeteria. Three times have been set aside for each condition (quiet: 08.55, 09.30, 16.15 and vibrant: 10.20, 11.10, 17.00) to conduct the tests.

2.2. Participants The sample for physiological data acquisition consists of only four subjects (two women and two men aged 23 to 47 years), one of whom was excluded from the experiment because the physiological data relating to electrodermal activity collected were heavily influenced by artifacts caused by body movements and breathing. All subjects voluntarily consented to participate in the study, declaring that they do not have heart disease, pacemaker, or defibrillator implants, rashes, or skin rashes in the thoracic region where the Equivital belt is worn, and that they do not have other significant diseases such as diabetes. The study involved professors, PhD. students, and technicians of the RTV of Catholic University of San Antonio

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in Murcia (UCAM). For the study, participants with a similar noise sensitivity were selected. In contrast, subjects with very low or high noise sensitivity were excluded. Participants in the study had a mean noise sensitivity value of 4.53 (st. dev.=0.12). 2.3. Experimental procedure In a preliminary phase, the experimental procedure was explained to participants and any doubts were cleared up. Later, they were asked to sign the informed consents relating to the use of Equivital Belt for physiological parameter acquisition, the analysis, and the subsequent use of the data. Then, by agreeing on the availability of the subjects participating in the trial, a calendar was drawn up and shared with the indications of the site, date, and times of the measures to be carried out, and each subject was asked to sleep an adequate number of hours the night before the test, not to take coffee or other drinks containing caffeine or theine, and not to smoke on the day of the trial. On the day set for the measurements (Figure 2), the subject was given the Equivital Belt and explained or reminded how to wear it correctly. Once the belt was worn, the subject was asked to move away from his workstation and to reach the site under investigation. Then the Sensor Electronics Module (SEM) was connected, and the Ag/AgCl pregelled electrodes (36x45mm) were placed on the index and middle fingers of the left hand to measure the electrodermal activity. Finally, was checked the correct functioning of the Equivital. Subsequently the subject was asked to sit down, place the left hand where the electrodes were applied with the palm facing up or down, to avoid body movements, deep breaths and sighs that can cause artifacts in the acquisition of the electrodermal activity signal. Once prepared the subject for the experiment, an initial baseline of 1 minute as regards the physiological parameters had been acquired, and subsequently, all the physiological and acoustic measures were started for a duration of 10 minutes. At the same time, comments regarding the start and end of the measurement were added to the physiological signal curve, and all the events that could affect the measurement were annotated; all data on environmental conditions were then recorded and collected using the appropriate technical datasheet. At the end of all the data acquisition, the subject was asked to complete the subjective questionnaire. This procedure was repeated for all subjects, for all sites, and for all pre-established times except for the administration of the subjective questionnaire, which took place only once per site.

Figure 2: Tests conducted at the Catholic University of San Antonio in Murcia: left) acquisition of environmental parameters; middle) the acquisition of physiological parameters; right) subjective questionnaire administration.

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3. DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

The environmental data recorded were used to characterize the site under investigation objectively. For the measurement of physiological parameters was taken into consideration the reactivity of EDA, understood as the level of variation of the electrodermal activity with respect to the initial state of the subject. At the same time, the RR interval was considered for the evaluation of HRV. In addition, the respiratory rate curve was monitored according to the method shown by Bouchsein in [27] to identify possible artefacts of electrodermal activity signals recorded. The EDA and RR interval data were first averaged and analyzed over ten 60s intervals through the LabChart software for each subject and for each time measurement. Afterwards, the percentage changes were calculated with respect to the initial baseline. Then, the results of the physiological changes for cafeteria were averaged over the two conditions, quiet and vibrant.

3.1. Objective characterization of the sites The cloister (Table 1) is generally not very busy. On average, there were a maximum of 4 people during each measurement. Moreover, the L Aeq was in average of 45.6 dB, while the temperature 20.4°C and humidity 46% in the days of acquisition were almost similar. Table 1: Objective characterization of the cloister Time N. people L Aeq Ta RH 09.10 3 44.6 dB 19.2 C° 53% 11.20 5 46.1 dB 21.6 C° 43% 16.00 3 46.1 dB 20.4 C° 43% On the other side, the cafeteria (Table 2) showed moments of tranquility and of great crowding, marked by the breaks between the end and beginning of courses and the lunch break. Throughout the day, a quiet and vibrant condition can thus be distinguished. When they are compared, there is a significant difference in crowding: in the quiet condition, there were on average 17 people with a A- weighted sound equivalent level of 67.2 dB, while in the vibrant condition, there were on average 51 people with a L Aeq of 74.6 dB, with a difference of about 7 dB. During all day, the temperature was on average 19.2 °C and the relative humidity of 39.5%. Table 2: Objective characterization of the cafeteria QUIET VIBRANT Time N. people LAeq Ta RH Time N. people LAeq Ta RH 08.55 15 67.6 dB 17.5 °C 38% 10.20 55 76.6 dB 17.1 °C 40% 09.30 19 67.7 dB 16.3 °C 40% 16.15 75 77.1 dB 18.2 °C 39% 16.15 16 66.3 dB 22.9 °C 45% 17.00 23 70.1 dB 23.4 °C 35%

3.2. Physiological parameters results Regarding the Cloister (Figure 3), when compared to the 11.20-hour time slot, there is a decrease of about 24% in electrodermal activity at the end of the ten minutes of exposure in the early morning (09.10 hours) and afternoon (16.00 hours). For RR interval results, the situation is similar. The 16.00- hour time slot appears to lower the subjects' heart rates and induce a state of relaxation, followed by the 09.10-hour time slot. The 11.20 time slot has the worst conditions for both EDA and HRV

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measurements. This can be due to a higher attendance, but similar noise levels, in the corridors surrounding the cloister during the same time period.

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Figure 3: Physiological parameters results for cloister: left) Electrodermal activity results; right) RR interval results. On the other hand, regarding the cafeteria (Figure 4), there is a significant difference in electrodermal activity between the two conditions (quiet and vibrant). In the quiet condition, a rapid decrease of 14.6 % can be observed in the first 4 minutes of noise exposure, up to 21.6 % at the end of the 10 minutes of exposure. In the vibrant condition, however, there is a constant decrease but of less magnitude compared to the quiet condition up to an asymptotic value of about 10%, reached after the eighth minute of exposure. According to the HRV results, the subjects showed an apparent decrease in heart rate for the quiet condition (RR intervals increase), and a slight increase (+2 %) in heart rate for the vibrant condition (RR intervals decrease).

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Figure 4: Physiological parameters results for cafeteria: left) Electrodermal activity results; right) RR interval results.

3.3. Subjective questionnaire results Comparing the results of the perceived Restorativeness (Table 3), the cloister resulted to be the most restorative place (Mean PRS-11 =9.33) receiving the highest scores for all the components. The high

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scores can be explained by the combination of different environmental characteristics (historical and artistical elements, presence of green and water elements, the existence of benches) which make the environment appealing, protected by the more crowded surrounding areas and fascinating. On the other hand, also the cafeteria seems to be coherent (5.78) and provide a sufficient sense of being- away (5.00). Table 3: Results of PRS-11 and its components

FASCINATION BEING AWAY COHERENCE SCOPE PRS-11 CLOISTER 9.33 9.78 9.56 8.67 9.33 CAFFETTERIA 3.78 5.00 5.78 4.33 3.78 4. CONCLUSIONS

This paper investigates the potentialities in terms of stress recovery and perceived Restorativeness of the cloister and cafeteria within the Catholic University of San Antonio campus in Murcia (UCAM). environmental and physiological recordings as well as subjective interviews were acquired and used to achieve this goal. The preliminary results of this ongoing study showed that the two sites with different environmental characteristics and acoustic sound levels may have both positive effects on the physiological metrics. In a very quiet environment and restorative environment, like the cloister, the variation of physiological metrics showed a clear reduction of the EDA (more than 20% in 10 minutes) and an increasing of the RR interval (up to 5%). Similar results, but of less magnitude, were observed also for the cafeteria in the Quietest rather Vibrant conditions. Results suggest that the number of individuals and activities could play a role in the physiological changes, more than the sound levels. 5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study has been developed as part of a scholarship funded in the framework of the National Operational Program ESF-ESFR Research and Innovation (PON RI 2014-2020), Action I.1 related to Innovative Industrial Ph.D. (Project Code-CUP- B25D18000010006). 6. REFERENCES

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