Post-Pandemic Perception of Public Space in Singapore

Effects of COVID-19-Related Self-isolation on Psychological Response to Different Outdoor Environments in Singapore - Before & After Brain and Behavior Study

In this study it is aimed to investigate the difference between the brain response to different urban environments in Singapore before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The datasets acquired from 34 healthy individuals as part of ongoing study "Effects of Landscape on the Brain" (IRB Ref #: S-18-352) will be used. These datasets consist of neurophysiological data recordings and behavioral self-reported measures and were collected before 20 of January 2020. The same experimental protocol would be followed, given that the data collection in the lab-setting would start after 7 th May 2020/whenever research activities are allowed to resume, and the outdoor sessions after the "circuit-breaker" period in Singapore is over.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Stress; Anxiety
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Public space exposure

Detailed Description

The aim is to explore the difference between pre and post COVID-19-related isolation on their perception of green and public spaces, as well as mood, neuroelectrical (EEG) and haemodynamic (fNIRS) response.

The hypothesi is that crowded, busy public spaces, such as experimental site near Chinatown MRT, may induce more patterns of brain activity related to stress, anxiety and aversive attitudes after COVID-19 as compared to before. Similarily, it is expected that green urban spaces, such as experimental site at Hortpark, perceived after COVID-19 can elicit more salutogenic effect of relaxation, positive emotions and attention restoration than before the pandemic.

This study will allow better understanding of the mental health consequences of unprecedented period of isolation at home and social distancing. The relationship between city residents and their living environment may change due to COVID-19 and it's very important to uncover the mental health implications of social distancing to prepare for potential future outbreaks through developing tools and solutions addressing specific issues. Finally, for the urban planning and design the study may highlight important trends in changing human perception of space and redefine the concept of a "healthy city".

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 34
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Singapore
  • Singapore, Singapore, 117599
    • Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech)

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 21 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age of 21 to 75
• Right-handed only

Exclusion Criteria:

• left-handed

• serious visual or auditory impairment

  • Major neurological disorders e.g. epilepsy, stroke
  • Any form of cancer
  • Major heart diseases: e.g. ischemic heart disease
  • Major lung diseases: e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
  • Major liver disease e.g. liver failure
  • Major kidney disease e.g. kidney failure

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Sequential Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: public sp exposures; All participants undergo the procedure of visiting all landscape exposures in a random order.	Other: Public space exposure; landscapes with nature and/or classified as contemplative (through a CLM psychometric measure) are expected to elicit different brainwave oscillations as compared to noncontemplative ones.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
EEG power in alpha band	predictor of positive affect and positive mental health outcomes, measured with EEG	5 minutes
EEG power in beta band	more beta in the right temporal lobes associated with stimuli-driven attention, measured with EEG	5 minutes
fNIRS haemodynamics	decreased oxy-hemoglobin in the frontal part of the brain indicates more relaxation	5 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Profile of mood states	self-reported, pre-and post- stimulation Profile of Mood States (POMS) scale measures the change in the momentary mood, giving as an outcome measure the Total Mood Disturbance (TMD), where 1 is neutral, and above 1 is disturbed mood	30 minutes
landscape preference measured with self-assessment manikin scale	measured using pictorial Self-Asessment Manikin (SAM) where score ranged from -3 to +3, where the lower the score the less positive (valence + arousal) emotions are caused by looking at the view	30 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National University, Singapore
• Collaborators: National University Hospital, Singapore

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 1, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): December 31, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 13, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 13, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): May 19, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 15, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2021
• Last Verified: July 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: stress; EEG; brain; covid-19; fNIRS; landscape; exposure; urban; self-isolation; pandemic; public space
• Other Study ID Numbers: NUS-IRB_S-20-12

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No