Collaboration between the universities in Turku and a start-up company was key to one of the first successful research projects at Health Campus Turku. The project studied the effects of simulating a natural environment on the stress levels and well-being of people.
The multidisciplinary project was carried out in collaboration between Turku University of Applied Sciences, the University of Turku and a local company, Korpi ForRest. The findings were recently published in the international Scandinavian Journal of Psychology The project highlights the power of collaboration between universities and companies in the region, as well as the use of multidisciplinary expertise in scientific research.
A successful path to a joint research process
The research process was initiated by Mikko Pohjola, founder of Korpi ForRest, who contacted us via the Terttu contact platform. Terttu is a service that offers an easy and quick way for companies and research groups to find suitable testing and research infrastructure and funding.
Pohjola offered a case study related to an application developed by their company, through which the product could be tested. Turku University of Applied Sciences took the offer and Elina Kontio, head of the Health Technology research group, and project engineer Juho Koskinen joined the research project. Koskinen and her students were responsible for the collection and management of clinical data for the study. For the planning, data analysis and management of the research frame, partner expertise was provided by docent Mika Koivisto, university lecturer at the Department of Psychology at University of Turku. He was also the lead author of a scientific article based on the research.
Kontio describes the project as an excellent example of how the expertise of universities, companies and students was combined to achieve a common goal.
“During the study, we combined the technical expertise of the university, the scientific research setup of the university and the practical needs of the company. This was a truly multidisciplinary and fruitful collaboration that brought out the expertise of all parties and resulted in an international publication,” says Kontio.
Short-term exposure to nature reduces stress
The study focused on the effects of a short-term nature walk simulation. The subjects watched a five-minute video of a peaceful nature walk. The researchers measured the subjects' stress levels with both subjective questionnaires and objective physiological measures, such as skin electrical conductivity and EEG measurements of brain activity.
The effects of nature simulation have been studied before, but now the results show that even a short nature video can reduce stress and increase relaxation. The effect could be confirmed with physiological measurements.
“For a long time, we have known that exposure to nature can improve well-being, but what makes this study special is that the results showed clear positive effects even after a short, five-minute exposure,” says Koivisto.
The findings of the study open up new perspectives on the use of natural environments to support the stress management of knowledge workers working in urban environments, for example, and it can offer practical solutions and ideas for promoting well-being.
Multidisciplinary collaboration with the support of students
The students at Turku University of Applied Sciences played an important role in the implementation process of the study. They were involved in recruiting subjects, taking measurements and pre-processing the data. Working on the project gave them valuable experience in research and the opportunity to learn about the practical application of health technology. At the University of Turku, participation in the project resulted in two theses. One of the authors of the master's theses also participated in writing the article.
“The students were enthusiastic about the project because they were able to apply the skills they had learned in a real research project. This is exactly the way we want to support our students' professional development and create links to working life,” says project engineer Juho Koskinen.
The importance of collaboration is emphasised
The collaborative project shows how universities and businesses in the region can work together to develop new solutions and create significant added value through research. The Health Campus Turku network provided a platform through which different actors could meet, develop common research agendas and produce results that are of international interest.
“This project is an excellent example of what we can achieve when universities, businesses and students work together. All parties had a clear motivation and goal, which enabled us to carry out the study successfully,” Kontio sums up.
Text: Anu Kehusmaa
Photos: Vesa-Matti Väärä
