Effects of Tactile Stimulation Using an Assortment of Natural Elements on the Psychophysiological Responses of Adults
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
This is a well designed and well-written paper, with a novel approach (tactile) that will be a good contribution to the field. The only recommended adjustment is in the introduction. Kaplans' ART is a purely cognitive/attention-based model that does not emphasize physical recovery. Ulrich's model is the one that addresses psychophysiological recovery. Manuscript should be modified to reflect this.
Author Response
Thank you for your valuable comments for the manuscript. We revised the manuscript by following your comments. We marked Blue color for the changes in the revised manuscript.
This is a well designed and well-written paper, with a novel approach (tactile) that will be a good contribution to the field. The only recommended adjustment is in the introduction. Kaplans' ART is a purely cognitive/attention-based model that does not emphasize physical recovery. Ulrich's model is the one that addresses psychophysiological recovery. Manuscript should be modified to reflect this.
Response: In response to the reviewer's opinion, we deleted Kaplans' attention restoration theory (ART) that did not emphasize physical recovery, and only Ulrich's model, which deals with psychophysiological recovery, was wrote. (line 44-45)
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
This is an interesting study investigating if touch with natural elements may impact on recovery from stress. Changes in psychological, physiological, and brain changes are measured before and after the experiments.
The experiment is carefully planned and implemented, and analyses are appropriate. The results do provide some support to the hypothesis that tactile stimulation using the elements could promote relaxation.
The experiment may further monitor the stress levels or current mental health before testing, as this may be a confounding factor for the study.
The psychological evaluation using sementic differential measures do not seem to capture changes. The SDM has two items on relaxation and comfort, while the other items focus on the feeling about the stimuli. The SDM may focus more on feelings (e.g. pleasure, anxious) rather than feeling like warm-cold or soft-hard on the stimuli.
The results on the touching the elements by foot is very different from that of touching by hand. The bare foot could very sensitive to temperature and this could dominate responses to elements. This is not a surprise. In horticulture or gardening activities, it is more likely hands are exposed to natural elements (if gardeners are not wearing gloves). Most people do not take their shoes off in gardening. The researchers may further discuss if there are any practical implications of the results for horticultural therapy.
In the literature and discussion, the authors cited a number of studies on the impact of visual stimulation in nature/plants. Are there more similar studies which examine tactile stimulations using natural elements, which you could compare and contrast the results?
Author Response
Dear Editor:
Thank you for your valuable comments for the manuscript. We revised the manuscript by following your comments. We marked Green color for the changes in the revised manuscript.
Please see the attachment.
Sincerely,
Sin-Ae Park, Ph. D.
Tel.: +82-2-450-0537
Email: [email protected]
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
