JAUE2024-007: Effects of Spring Water Sounds on Psychophysiological Responses in College Students: An EEG Study

Abstract

While the beneficial effects of spring water sound on health are recognized, the specific psychophysiological mechanisms at varying sound pressure levels (SPLs) remain unclear. This study explores the effects of different SPLs of spring water sounds on psychophysiological responses, utilizing subjective evaluations alongside electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring. Thirty-eight college students were exposed to five SPLs of spring water sounds (40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 dB). Participants underwent subjective evaluation using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Perceived Restorative Sound Scale (PRSS), complemented by physiological measurements through EEG. Spring water sounds significantly improved psychophysiological health. Psychologically, compared to no sound, POMS scores decreased by 21.60-67.34%, PRSS scores increased by 1.15-1.86 times, and emotional disorders and subjective stress were significantly improved (p<0.05). Physiologically, the overall EEG power for 50-55 dB levels decreased by 12.72-21.83%. Significant enhancements in relative power (RP) of α and β waves (24.21-73.34% and 23.96-85.26%, respectively were observed. This study provides a method to comprehensively analyze the positive effects of water sound from both psychological and physiological perspectives and offers a reference for the design of sound environments.