Breath chair: Reduce fear and anxiety by simulating breathing movements

Abstract

In this paper, we proposed the concept to alleviate fear or anxiety by reproducing the sensation of being with someone and developed Breath Chair. This system is the chair and the polyurethane sponge built into the backrest can reproduce the sensation of a human breathing by repeatedly evacuating the air and contracting similarly to a human chest during breathing. We evaluated our proposed system using two films as eliciting stimuli for emotion of fear or anxiety; fear levels or anxiety levels the experiment were examined using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), heart rate and fingertip temperature. STAI was used before and after the viewing of films. Heart rate and fingertip temperature were measured throughout the viewing of the films. Score of STAI and heart rate were no significant difference. Fingertip temperature were higher with simulated breathing than without, revealing a significant difference. There was significant difference. These evaluation results suggested that subjects’ fear or anxiety decreased as a result of simulating breathing.