Thermal Comfort + Mental Health

I. Mental Fatigue and Vitality

Studies have shown that thermal discomfort can lead to mental fatigue (Yoshida 2015, Tanabe 2007). One study by Yoshida at Osaka Prefecture University found that temperatures above the recommended thermal threshold (78.8 degrees Fahrenheit) correlated with mental fatigue (Yoshida 2015). In addition, the test subjects felt relaxed when experiencing thermal comfort or thermal neutrality (Yoshida 2015). A different study by Tanabe at Waseda University confirms the claims made by Yoshiba, finding that an increase in temperature increased mental fatigue in the test subjects (Tanabe 2007). An additional study conducted by Akimoto at Shibaura Institute of technology indicated that when in thermal discomfort, fatigue symptoms were present for most of the working hours in the test subjects (Akimoto 2010). The study also indicated that worker vitality – referring to the desire to participate in activities after work hours—decreased in the thermally uncomfortable environment over the course of the day. There is a correlation between mental vitality and fatigue — the longer a subject is in thermal discomfort, the more their fatigue increases and their vitality level decreases (Akimoto 2010).

II. Personal Control and Anxiety

Personal control over the thermal environment of a space has also been correlated to positive psychological responses (Wagner 2006, Van Hoof 2010). A study conducted at a hospital by Wagner at North Georgia College and State University found that when a patient had control over their environment before a procedure, there was a decrease in anxiety (Wagner 2006). The agency that personal control mechanisms allow occupants will improve their overall thermal satisfaction (Ring et. al. 2000). The study by Wagner also found that for patients about to undergo treatment, a warmer environment can decrease the patient’s anxiety and improve thermal comfort (Wagner 2006). Another study conducted by Fossum at the American Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses looking at preoperative thermal comfort in a hospital associated warm air with positive feelings of comfort and decreased anxiety in preoperative patients (Fossum 2001).

III. References

Review Articles

• Fossum, Susan, Judy Hays, and Mary Margaret Henson. “A comparison study on the effects of prewarming patients in the outpatient surgery setting.” Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing 16, no. 3 (2001): 187-194.
• Van Hoof, Joost, Mitja Mazej, and Jan LM Hensen. “Thermal comfort: research and practice.” Frontiers in Bioscience 15, no. 2 (2010): 765-788.

Primary Research

• Akimoto, Takashi, Shin-ichi Tanabe, Takashi Yanai, and Masato Sasaki. “Thermal comfort and productivity-Evaluation of workplace environment in a task conditioned office.” Building and environment 45, no. 1 (2010): 45-50.
• Tanabe, Shin-ichi, Naoe Nishihara, and Masaoki Haneda. “Indoor temperature, productivity, and fatigue in office tasks.” HVAC&R Research 13, no. 4 (2007): 623-633.
• Wagner, Doreen, Michelle Byrne, and Katharine Kolcaba. “Effects of comfort warming on preoperative patients.” AORN journal 84, no. 3 (2006): 427-448.
• Yoshida, Atsumasa, Takezo Hisabayashi, Kenta Kashihara, Shinichi Kinoshita, and Shoko Hashida. “Evaluation of effect of tree canopy on thermal environment, thermal sensation, and mental state.” Urban Climate 14 (2015): 240-250.