Individual Presentation or Panel Title
Effects of Positive and Negative Air Ions on Physiological and Psychological Measures
Abstract
The physiological and psychological effects of positive and negative air ion exposure were measured in a non-vulnerable sample using a pulse oximeter and four inventories. Eighteen female undergraduate students aged 18-22 participated in the study during the January term and were exposed to three conditions in a repeated measures within-subjects design. The sequence and order of conditions were randomly assigned. Each condition lasted five days a week, with no testing on weekends to eliminate carryover effects, for a total participation time of 15 days. Participants sat in a room with either positive ions, negative ions, or no ionization for 30-minute sessions while wearing a pulse rate and blood oxygenation monitor on the index finger of their left hand. The Stress Arousal Checklist (SACL) and State Anger Scale (SAS) were given daily after sessions. Every Friday, at the end of each treatment condition, participants filled out the Internal State Scale (ISS) and the SAFTEE-SR. Prior research at Hollins University has indicated that individuals have a decreased pulse rate in response to negative ion exposure.
Location
Glass Dining Room
Start Date
20-4-2013 3:30 PM
End Date
20-4-2013 4:20 PM
Effects of Positive and Negative Air Ions on Physiological and Psychological Measures
Glass Dining Room
The physiological and psychological effects of positive and negative air ion exposure were measured in a non-vulnerable sample using a pulse oximeter and four inventories. Eighteen female undergraduate students aged 18-22 participated in the study during the January term and were exposed to three conditions in a repeated measures within-subjects design. The sequence and order of conditions were randomly assigned. Each condition lasted five days a week, with no testing on weekends to eliminate carryover effects, for a total participation time of 15 days. Participants sat in a room with either positive ions, negative ions, or no ionization for 30-minute sessions while wearing a pulse rate and blood oxygenation monitor on the index finger of their left hand. The Stress Arousal Checklist (SACL) and State Anger Scale (SAS) were given daily after sessions. Every Friday, at the end of each treatment condition, participants filled out the Internal State Scale (ISS) and the SAFTEE-SR. Prior research at Hollins University has indicated that individuals have a decreased pulse rate in response to negative ion exposure.