Comparative effects of exposure to nature versus muscle energy technique (MET) on cognitive functions - A Pilot Study.
Item
- Title
- Comparative effects of exposure to nature versus muscle energy technique (MET) on cognitive functions - A Pilot Study.
- Author(s)
- Ferigutti, G
- Abstract
- Background and Objective: No research has been done to determine whether manual therapy can restore cognitive functioning. The purpose of the current research was to examine the effects of exposure to nature versus manual therapy on the three attentional networks (alerting, orienting, and executive control network), as measured by the CRSD-ANT (Weaver et aI 2013), using both timing (RT) and accuracy (A') as dependent measure. The prediction was that both MET and exposure to nature would show similar effect on the Executive control network. Group predictions involving the alerting and orienting networks would be less distinct. Study Sample: Out of one hundred twenty-seven undergraduate-age (M = 26.28, SD = 7.90) students who completed the Student-life Stress Inventory (SSI) (Gadzella 1991), sixty stressed-age (M = 26.20, SD = 6.44) students participated in the study. Data Collection and Analysis: Participation in this study was strictly voluntary. Participants were provided and informed with full details regarding the aims of the study and its procedure. Baseline characteristics, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and students' academic stress level through SSI were collected in a paper-and-pencil format. A third party compiled the data and contacted the participants on behalf of the researcher. The sixty CRSD-ANT participants were randomly divided into three groups and exposed to one of the following conditions for ten minutes: The Control Group (n = 20) sat on the massage table; the Nature group (n = 20) was exposed to nature by sitting in front of an opened window overlooking a garden; the MET Group (n=20) received MET a treatment on the neck and shoulder muscles. The MET treatment was performed by a GOsC registered osteopath. The data from ail the questionnaires and the SSI were compiled on Microsoft Excel along with the CRSD-ANT, and analysed using SPSS. Design: A 3 (Group: Control-Nature-MET) as the between-subjects variable x 2 (flanker type: congruent-incongruent) x 4 (cue type: No cue, centre cue, double cue, spatial cue) ANOVA for repeated measures, as the within-subjects variables on reaction time (RT) data and on accuracy rate (A). Results: The results revealed no significant effect on reaction time (RT) between all three conditions on the attentional networks. However, a significant main effect was found under ail cueing conditions in the presence of incongruent flankers p<0.001. Discussion and Conclusion: This study does not support the notion that there are differential effects on the attentional networks (alerting, orienting, and executive control), by any of the two conditions: manual therapy or exposure to nature. These findings are thus aligned with the findings in studies of chronic fatigue syndrome which showed characteristic patterns of deficit in RT, as opposed to studies on exposure to nature.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2015
- Date Submitted
- 2.12.2016 16:54:59
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15889
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Attention, Attention Network Test (ANT), attentional networks, Anent(on Restoration Theory (ART), Attention Training (AT), Attention State Training (AST), meditation, Mindfulness, nature, muscle energy technique (MET).
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Ferigutti, G, “Comparative effects of exposure to nature versus muscle energy technique (MET) on cognitive functions - A Pilot Study.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.org/s/orw/item/592