Title: Effect of negative air ions on physiological and perceived psychological stress during computer operation

Authors: Anushree Malik, Kamlesh Singh, Manoneet Singh

Addresses: Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India. ' Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India. ' Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India

Abstract: In the present study, we examined the effect of Negative Air Ions (NAI) exposure on physiological and psychological indicators of stress during a two-hour long computer operation. The level of variety of stresses during computer tasks in three conditions, i.e. |control condition, control condition-placebo effect and experimental condition – air ion generator on (therapeutic conditions)|, through pre and post-testing were compared. Heart beat was significantly different in third (therapeutic) condition (F = 6.0, p < 0.01). Moreover, only in therapeutic setting significant changes in heart beat (t = 2.9, p < 0.01) were observed in pre (77.4 bpm) and post-testing (72.1 bpm). Computer-oriented stress and psychological stresses were also significantly reduced in therapeutic condition (F = 3.6, p = <0.05). Further, there was no significant difference between control and placebo control in all the three conditions. Hence, therapeutic conditions where we introduce abundance of NAI helped to reduce the physiological and perceived psychological stress.

Keywords: computer-oriented stress; NAI; negative air ions; physiological stress; psychological stress; stress indicators; heart rate; computer use; computer work; computer operations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2010.033035

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2010 Vol.4 No.1, pp.67 - 77

Published online: 06 May 2010 *

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