Evaluation on the Efficacy of Emotional Stress Relief under an Olfactory-visual Coupling Intervention

KE Jingwen, SONG Wu

Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (12) : 150-163.

PDF(3196 KB)
PDF(3196 KB)
Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (12) : 150-163. DOI: 10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.12.012
Industrial Design

Evaluation on the Efficacy of Emotional Stress Relief under an Olfactory-visual Coupling Intervention

  • KE Jingwen1, SONG Wu1,2,*
Author information +
History +

Abstract

With olfactory-visual coupling intervention as an example, the work aims to investigate whether cross-modal matching can promote anxiety relief, with a hope to enhance emotion regulation efficacy. Human factors assessment methods such as EEG, HRV-LF/HF and STAI scales were combined to conduct an incremental study. Firstly, the anxiolytic effects of bergamot, sandalwood and jasmine were verified. Secondly, the olfactory-visual combination based on emotional-perceptual matching and cognitive-recognition matching was constructed through the coupling matching experiment. Finally, olfactory-visual coupling intervention experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different cross-modal matching relationships on emotional stress relief efficacy. The cross-modal matched olfactory-visual element coupling intervention enhanced the relaxation efficacy of anxiolytic odours and there was no significant difference between the two matching mechanisms. The work reveals that in order to ensure the efficacy of emotion regulation, the design of emotion regulation with multisensory interventions should pay attention to cross-modal matching, and the matching mechanism can be flexibly selected according to the actual situation in the design practice.

Key words

olfactory-visual coupling intervention / emotional stress relief / associative matching / electroencephalography (EEG) / heart rate variability (HRV)

Cite this article

Download Citations
KE Jingwen, SONG Wu. Evaluation on the Efficacy of Emotional Stress Relief under an Olfactory-visual Coupling Intervention[J]. Packaging Engineering. 2026, 47(12): 150-163 https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.12.012

References

[1] World Health Organization. World Mental Health Report: Transforming Mental Health for All[EB/OL]. (2022) [2025-06-05]. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/356119.
[2] 周雯, 冯果. 嗅知觉及其与情绪系统的交互[J]. 心理科学进展, 2012, 20(1): 2-9.
ZHOU W, FENG G.Olfactory Perception and Its Interplays with the Emotional System[J]. Advances in Psychological Science, 2012, 20(1): 2-9.
[3] 黄雪琨. 嗅觉和情绪[J]. 中国中西医结合耳鼻咽喉科杂志, 2020, 28(4): 315-319.
HUANG X K.Smell and Emotion[J]. Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology in Integrative Medicine, 2020, 28(4): 315-319.
[4] WARD R J, WUERGER S M, MARSHALL A, et al.Smelling Sensations: Olfactory Crossmodal Correspondences[J]. Journal of Perceptual Imaging, 2022, 5(4): 1-12.
[5] SPENCE C, PUCCINELLI N M, GREWAL D, et al.Store Atmospherics: A Multisensory Perspective[J]. Psychology & Marketing, 2014, 31(7): 472-488.
[6] CANBEYLI R.Sensory Stimulation via the Visual, Auditory, Olfactory and Gustatory Systems Can Modulate Mood and Depression[J]. European Journal of Neuroscience, 2022, 55(1): 244-263.
[7] MARIN M M, GINGRAS B, BHATTACHARYA J.Crossmodal Transfer of Arousal, but Not Pleasantness, from the Musical to the Visual Domain[J]. Emotion, 2012, 12(3): 618-631.
[8] POLLATOS O, KOPIETZ R, LINN J, et al.Emotional Stimulation Alters Olfactory Sensitivity and Odor Judgment[J]. Chemical Senses, 2007, 32(6): 583-589.
[9] HUMMEL T, FARK T, BAUM D, et al.The Rewarding Effect of Pictures with Positive Emotional Connotation Upon Perception and Processing of Pleasant Odors—An FMRI Study[J]. Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 2017, 11: 19.
[10] 郝石盟, 王晨, 侯锐, 等. 虚拟疗愈环境及其疗愈效益研究进展[J]. 风景园林, 2022, 29(8): 79-85.
HAO S M, WANG C, HOU R, et al.Research Progress in Virtual Healing Environments and Healing Benefits Thereof[J]. Landscape Architecture, 2022, 29(8): 79-85.
[11] SPENCE C.Crossmodal Correspondences: A Tutorial Review[J]. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 2011, 73(4): 971-995.
[12] SPENCE C.Using Ambient Scent to Enhance Well-Being in the Multisensory Built Environment[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2020, 11: 598859.
[13] SPANGENBERG E R, GROHMANN B, SPROTT D E.It's Beginning to Smell (and Sound) a Lot Like Christmas: The Interactive Effects of Ambient Scent and Music in a Retail Setting[J]. Journal of Business Research, 2005, 58(11): 1583-1589.
[14] KAEPPLER K.Crossmodal Associations between Olfaction and Vision: Color and Shape Visualizations of Odors[J]. Chemosensory Perception, 2018, 11(2): 95-111.
[15] SIEVERS B, PARKINSON C, KOHLER P J, et al. Visual and Auditory Brain Areas Share a Representational Structure that Supports Emotion Perception[J]. Current Biology, 2021, 31(23): 5192-5203.e4.
[16] METATLA O, MAGGIONI E, CULLEN C, et al.“Like Popcorn”: Crossmodal Correspondences between Scents, 3D Shapes and Emotions in Children[C]// Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Glasgow: ACM, 2019.
[17] GUERDOUX E, TROUILLET R, BROUILLET D.Olfactory-Visual Congruence Effects Stable across Ages: Yellow Is Warmer when It Is Pleasantly Lemony[J]. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 2014, 76(5): 1280-1286.
[18] ÖSTERBAUER R A, MATTHEWS P M, JENKINSON M, et al.Color of Scents: Chromatic Stimuli Modulate Odor Responses in the Human Brain[J]. Journal of Neurophysiology, 2005, 93(6): 3434-3441.
[19] STEVENSON R J, RICH A, RUSSELL A.The Nature and Origin of Cross-Modal Associations to Odours[J]. Perception, 2012, 41(5): 606-619.
[20] NEHMÉ L, BARBAR R, MARIC Y, et al.Influence of Odor Function and Color Symbolism in Odor-Color Associations: A French-Lebanese-Taiwanese Cross- Cultural Study[J]. Food Quality and Preference, 2016, 49: 33-41.
[21] COOK S, KOKMOTOU K, SOTO V, et al.Pleasant and Unpleasant Odour-Face Combinations Influence Face and Odour Perception: An Event-Related Potential Study[J]. Behavioural Brain Research, 2017, 333: 304-313.
[22] PORCHEROT C, DELPLANQUE S, GAUDREAU N, et al.Seeing, Smelling, Feeling! Is there an Influence of Color on Subjective Affective Responses to Perfumed Fabric Softeners?[J]. Food Quality and Preference, 2013, 27(2): 161-169.
[23] SEO H S, ARSHAMIAN A, SCHEMMER K, et al.Cross-Modal Integration between Odors and Abstract Symbols[J]. Neuroscience Letters, 2010, 478(3): 175-178.
[24] 周艳慧, 王一凡, 金荷仙. 视嗅感知下校园绿地的恢复性效益研究[J]. 中国园林, 2023, 39(11): 36-41.
ZHOU Y H, WANG Y F, JIN H X.Study on the Restorative Benefits of Campus Green Space under Visual and Olfactory Perceptions[J]. Chinese Landscape Architecture, 2023, 39(11): 36-41.
[25] AMSELLEM S, HÖCHENBERGER R, OHLA K. Visual-Olfactory Interactions: Bimodal Facilitation and Impact on the Subjective Experience[J]. Chemical Senses, 2018, 43(5): 329-339.
[26] DAVIDSON R J, FOX N A.Asymmetrical Brain Activity Discriminates between Positive and Negative Affective Stimuli in Human Infants[J]. Science, 1982, 218(4578): 1235-1237.
[27] LI Z Y, WU X, XU X Y, et al.The Recognition of Multiple Anxiety Levels Based on Electroencephalograph[J]. IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, 2022, 13(1): 519-529.
[28] YOTO A, MORIYAMA T, YOKOGOSHI H, et al.Effect of Smelling Green Tea Rich in Aroma Components on EEG Activity and Memory Task Performance[J]. International Journal of Affective Engineering, 2014, 13(4): 227-233.
[29] ZHANG N, CHEN J, DONG W Y, et al.The Effect of Copaiba Oil Odor on Anxiety Relief in Adults under Mental Workload: A Randomized Controlled Trial[J]. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022, 2022: 3874745.
[30] KIM C, SONG C.Physiological and Psychological Relaxation Effects of Fir Essential Oil on University Students[J]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, 19(9): 5063.
[31] 徐思敏, 陈嵘, 王进进, 等. 苍艾挥发油对大学生焦虑情绪相关生理指标的影响[J]. 云南中医药大学学报, 2023, 46(1): 58-63.
XU S M, CHEN R, WANG J J, et al.Effects of Cang-Ai Volatile Oil on Physiological Indexes Related to Anxiety in College Students[J]. Journal of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, 2023, 46(1): 58-63.
[32] 李文利, 钱铭怡. 状态特质焦虑量表中国大学生常模修订[J]. 北京大学学报(自然科学版), 1995, 31(1): 108-114.
LI W L, QIAN M Y.Revision of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory with Sample of Chinese College Students[J]. Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Pekinensis, 1995, 31(1): 108-114.
[33] 詹蓓灵, 陆菁. 用户体验情感测量与情感识别研究综述[J]. 包装工程, 2024, 45(12): 12-21.
ZHAN B L, LU J.Review of User Experience Emotion Measurement and Emotion Recognition[J]. Packaging Engineering, 2024, 45(12): 12-21.
[34] 刘溪, 梁宝勇. 心算应激与特质焦虑、应对风格的关系[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2008, 6(1): 30-37.
LIU X, LIANG B Y.The Relationship among Mental Arithmetic Stress, Trait Anxiety and Coping Style[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2008, 6(1): 30-37.
[35] KIM Y J.Can Eyes Smell? Cross-Modal Correspondences between Color Hue-Tone and Fragrance Family[J]. Color Research & Application, 2013, 38(2): 139-156.
[36] RUSSELL J A.A Circumplex Model of Affect[J]. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1980, 39(6): 1161-1178.
[37] 宋亦男. 茉莉精油香薰对改善腹腔镜胆囊切除术患者术前焦虑、抑郁及术后疼痛的效果观察[J]. 实用临床护理学电子杂志, 2019, 4(20): : 69-70.
SONG Y N.Effect of Jasmine Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Improving Preoperative Anxiety, Depression and Postoperative Pain of Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy[J]. Electronic Journal of Practical Clinical Nursing Science, 2019, 4(20): : 69-70.
[38] MAHMOODI-SHAN G, YADEGARI M, KAMKAR M, et al.Effects of Inhaling Jasmine Essential Oil on Anxiety and Blood Cortisol Levels in Candidates for Laparotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial[J]. Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, 2021, 8(2): 128.
[39] 张薇, 刘洋洋, 邹宇琛, 等. 中药檀香化学成分及药理活性研究进展[J]. 世界科学技术-中医药现代化, 2020, 22(12): 4300-4307.
ZHANG W, LIU Y Y, ZOU Y C, et al.Advances on the Investigation of Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Heartwood of Santalum Album L[J]. Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica-World Science and Technology, 2020, 22(12): 4300-4307.
[40] 缪燕如, 张丽娟. 佛手柑芳香疗法对全髋关节置换患者术后焦虑的影响[J]. 当代护士(中旬刊), 2020, 27(14): 41-42.
MIAO Y R, ZHANG L J.Effect of Bergamot Aromatherapy on Postoperative Anxiety of Patients Undergoing Total Hip Replacement[J]. Today Nurse, 2020, 27(14): 41-42.
[41] HEIN T P, GONG Z, IVANOVA M, et al.Anterior Cingulate and Medial Prefrontal Cortex Oscillations Underlie Learning Alterations in Trait Anxiety in Humans[J]. Communications Biology, 2023, 6: 271.
[42] GILBERT A N, MARTIN R, KEMP S E.Cross-Modal Correspondence between Vision and Olfaction: The Color of Smells[J]. The American Journal of Psychology, 1996, 109(3): 335-351.
[43] SPECTOR F, MAURER D.Making Sense of Scents: The Colour and Texture of Odours[J]. Seeing and Perceiving, 2012, 25(6): 655-677.
[44] MARIC Y, JACQUOT M.Contribution to Understanding Odour-Colour Associations[J]. Food Quality and Preference, 2013, 27(2): 191-195.
[45] KIM D K, AHN S, PARK S, et al.Interactive Emotional Lighting System Using Physiological Signals[J]. IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, 2013, 59(4): 765-771.
[46] POUSO S, BORJA Á, FLEMING L E, et al.Contact with Blue-Green Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown Beneficial for Mental Health[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2021, 756: 143984.
[47] 林泰利. 色彩与香味的情绪作用与关联性[D]. 台北: 台湾科技大学, 2009.
LIN T L.The Role of Emotion between Colours and Fragrances[D]. Taipei: Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 2009.
[48] D'AGOSTIN F, LORENZINO M, BREGANT L, et al. The Influence of Colored Light on Heart Rate Variability and Human Discomfort[J]. EMedical Research, 2020, 3: 1-13.
[49] 李正盛, 邢文, 何灿群, 等. 氛围灯色彩对驾驶情绪安抚作用的设计研究[J]. 人类工效学, 2021, 27(2): 14-20.
LI Z S, XING W, HE C Q, et al.Study on the Effect of Ambient Light Colour on Driving Emotional Comfort[J]. Chinese Journal of Ergonomics, 2021, 27(2): 14-20.
[50] SABINIEWICZ A, SCHAEFER E, CAGDAS G, et al.Smells Influence Perceived Pleasantness but Not Memorization of a Visual Virtual Environment[J]. i-Perception, 2021, 12(2): 2041669521989731.
[51] SONG C, IKEI H, MIYAZAKI Y.Physiological Effects of Forest-Related Visual, Olfactory, and Combined Stimuli on Humans: An Additive Combined Effect[J]. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2019, 44: 126437.
[52] 张新果, 张启翔. 园林植物嗅景对人体健康的影响[J]. 林业科学, 2023, 59(4): 100-116.
ZHANG X G, ZHANG Q X.Effects of Garden Plants Smellscape on Human Health[J]. Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2023, 59(4): 100-116.
[53] LU X, PENG Y, SONG S, et al.The Nose Cooperates with the Eyes: The Independent and Interactive Effects of Vision and Olfaction on the Perceived Restorativeness of a Metasequoia Walkway[J]. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2024, 99: 128425.
[54] 鲍齐齐, 金荷仙, 曾程程. 视嗅感知下月季景观的恢复性效益研究[J]. 景观设计学(中英文), 2024, 12(6): 25-46.
BAO Q Q, JIN H X, ZENG C C.Research on Restorative Benefits of Rose Landscapes through Visual and Olfactory Perception[J]. Landscape Architecture Frontiers, 2024, 12(6): 25-46.
[55] 赵雅庆. 基于视嗅意象匹配的嗅觉景观循证研究[J]. 城市环境设计, 2023(1): 356-364.
ZHAO Y Q.Evidence-Based Research of Smellscape Based on Visual-Olfactory Imagery Matching[J]. Urban Environment Design, 2023(1): 356-364.
[56] YAMASHITA G, TANAKA M, HORIUCHI T.Analysis of Harmony between Color and Fragrance in Lighting Environments by the Reaction of the Orbitofrontal Area[J]. i-Perception, 2022, 13(3): 20416695221102191.
[57] ZHOU C, YAMANAKA T.How Does Congruence of Scent and Music Affect People's Emotions[J]. International Journal of Affective Engineering, 2018, 17(2): 127-136.
PDF(3196 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/