The influence of the sensation of rhythm on comfort and productivity

摘要

Recently, an evaluation of stress and comfort by using physiological information has been being researched as a quantitative and objective evaluation method. Moreover, sounds which improve productivity introduced into an environment where people work are in demand. In this research, first, to investigate comfortable rhythmical sounds, we conducted a sound quality evaluation, by a subjective evaluation as well as the objective evaluation that used heart rate and salivary amylase. We prepared two sounds: rhythmical sounds which were a metronome sound and an operation sound emitted by a multifunctional peripheral (MFP). From these results, it may be stated that subjects felt more comfortable when they heard a rhythmical sound whose rhythm was a little slower than their heart rate. Moreover, it may be stated that it is possible to evaluate the influence of the sensation of rhythm on comfort by using heart rate and salivary amylase. In the second evaluation, the subjects calculated two-digit number additions, with the presentation of the metronome sound and the operation sound emitted by the MFP used in the first evaluation. Consequently, the number of calculations per minute increased when they heard a rhythmical sound whose rhythm was a little faster than their heart rates.