Tag: research

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Building Back Differently: The Role of CLM in Public Health Promotion through Nature-based Solutions

Posted on by Annetta Benzar

“The future of humanity is undoubtedly urban,” warns the UN-Habitat in their World Cities Report (2022), urging public health policies to address the growing health risks associated with urban expansion. Urban environments — characterized by traffic, pollution, noise, and overcrowding — not only create fertile ground for physical health issues but also place a significant burden on the mental health of their citizens (Olszewska-Guizzo et al., 2023). Neuropsychiatric diseases now account for 19.5% of all disability-adjusted life years  (DALYs), while depression is responsible for 6.2% of DALYs (World Health Organization, n.d.). These mental health challenges deteriorate citizens’ quality of life and generate serious economic losses for the state.

Figure 1: Population living in urbanized areas in 1990, 2014, and 2050 by continent and worldwide, UN, 2018 (https://www.esa.un.org/ unpd/wup)

Governments are increasingly recognizing the urgent need for interdisciplinary, evidence-based solutions to address this mental health crisis (Gruebner et al., 2017). A growing body of research highlights the restorative effects that contact with nature has on human health (Olszewska-Guizzo, Sia, & Escoffier, 2023). These effects include reducing stress and fatigue, triggering positive emotions, and improving cognitive functions such as concentration, memory, and creative performance (WHO, 2021).

Nature-based Solutions (NBS) are emerging as effective and cost-efficient strategies for addressing the growing mental health challenges in urban environments. The IUCN defines NBSs as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or human-modified ecosystems, offering benefits for both environmental preservation and human well-being. Adopting NBSs to confront human health challenges arising from unhealthy environments aligns with the One Health approach (WHO) — which recognizes the interdependence of animal, ecosystem, and human health — and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. NBSs have been well-documented to support people’s emotional, mental, and physical health by adopting a holistic approach to prevention, promotion, rehabilitation, and therapy.

Figure 2: "Envisaging the Future of Cities," World Cities Report 2022 (https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2022/06/wcr_2022.pdf)

Not Just Green

Often there is limited space available in cities for green areas, so it is important to optimize the design and use of the available green spaces (Olszewska-Guizzo, Sia, Fogel, et al., 2022). Urban planners, landscape architects, and conservation experts need to understand which types and characteristics of urban green spaces (UGS) most effectively benefit citizens’ mental health. This challenge inspired the development of the Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM) in 2016. The CLM measures how different landscape scenes can positively influence mental health through passive exposure. It focuses on landscape components that, when combined, trigger low-frequency brain activity associated with decreased cognitive strain, increased relaxation, and positive affect, as well as positive effects on mood and anxiety disorders(Olszewska-Guizzo, Sia, Escoffier, 2023).

The CLM evaluates landscape scenes based on seven key-components, each of which is rated using a 1–6-point scale. The final CLM score, the average of the seven key-components, provides a comprehensive assessment of a landscape's potential to offer beneficial mental health outcomes. The CLM is increasingly being used by practitioners to bridge the gap between landscape design and evidence-based impacts on mental health. It is also helping policy-makers make informed decisions on how to effectively curate UGSs to improve the mental health of their communities.

Figure 3: Seven key-components of Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM).

The main advantages of using the CLM include:

  • Accessibility and Ease of Use: The tool can be easily learned following formal training and applied by urban design practitioners, landscape architects, and those with a keen eye for landscapes.
  • Accuracy: The final CLM score is an average from the seven key landscape components in a single view or at multiple sites across the area, which helps to eliminate human error.
  • Cost-effectiveness: The CLM requires minimal equipment. Evaluations can be conducted in a single site visit using tablets or just pen and paper.
  • Efficiency: CLM also works with digital representations of landscapes (photos or videos) to save time, making it ideal for practitioners needing to assess multiple sites.
  • Versatility: The CLM can be applied to a wide range of sites, including urban, suburban and rural spaces, making it a useful tool for diverse environments, and scales.
  • Dual-purpose: The CLM can be used as an evaluation/ audit tool for green spaces, but also as a set of design guidelines to develop new creative mentally-healthy environments.
Figure 4: CLM evaluations can be conducted using tablets.

Global Examples: Singapore

The CLM has received increasing attention among professionals and researchers worldwide and is slowly finding its place in nature-based health promotion policies. The first country to adopt the CLM in its urban greening initiatives was Singapore. The National Parks Board (NParks) recognized the value of the evidence-based approach early, as part of their City in Nature initiative, which aims to ensure that the available green spaces are designed optimally to maximize the well-being of citizens across a diverse demographic, from the elderly and hospital patients to children with special needs.

The research conducted in Singapore, in collaboration with NParks and the National University of Singapore, found that therapeutic gardens with contemplative features contribute positively to a person's mental health and overall well-being. They also concluded that there were positive neuro-psychophysiological benefits from passive exposure to a therapeutic garden for the mental health of individuals with clinically concerning depressive disorders (Olszewska-Guizzo et al., 2022; Olszewska-Guizzo, Sia, Fogel, Escoffier, & Dan, 2022).

Figure 5: Neuroscience research studies conducted in Singapore between 2018 and 2021

 

Singapore established the network of 13 therapeutic gardens scattered across the city-state, with plans for an additional 7 to be completed by 2030. Each garden is designed according to the contemplative landscape guidelines to encourage visitors to enjoy everyday contact with the salutogenic nature of the premises.

NParks’ efforts go beyond transforming parks and are slowly moving into the wider urban environment.  There is a growing number of public officers and professionals trained in use of CLM for landscape assessment and design (an example of a recent workshop). Their continued research into Nature-based Solutions integrating CLM aligns with Singapore’s healthcare transformation plan, Healthier SG, to promote preventive health strategies for the whole population. Singapore’s efforts are setting a powerful and inspiring example of how states can benefit from embracing Nature-based Solutions to create healthier communities while prioritizing evidence-based design of their available green spaces.

Global Examples: Sweden

Sweden is the second country to incorporate the Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM) into its national health policy as part of its Nature-based Rehabilitation (NBR) program.  Alos known as the Skåne-model, or Naturunderstödd Rehabilitering (NUR), it launched in 2013, and is the first of its kind in the Nordic region. NUR is currently active in the southern region of Skåne County, with plans to expand throughout the rest of the country.

The program is founded on extensive research from the Alnarp Rehabilitation Garden, run by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) (Grahn & Pálsdóttir, 2021). It emphasizes the role of nature in aiding patients to recover from stress-related mental illnesses, specifically exhaustion syndrome, mild to moderate depression, and anxiety (Grahn, Pálsdóttir, Ottosson, & Jonsdottir, 2017). The program takes eight weeks and is run at selected rural properties across Skåne Region (Wissler & Pálsdóttir, 2024).

Figure 6. One of the NBR providers' rural property.

The NBR program supports the rural development goals by employing trained coordinators to deliver the nature-based interventions and services of the program on their premises. These interventions are designed with the following core objectives in mind:

1) Rehabilitation Focus: Aims to support the standard of care to improve physical, mental, and social health through nature-supported activities.

2) Nature-Infused “Awake Rest:” Focuses on relaxation and recovery in a peaceful, undemanding natural environment that promotes mental rejuvenation.

3) Integration of Meaningful Activities: Encourages daily tasks in natural settings, offering participants purposeful engagements that align with the day-to-day operations of the NBR provider.

NBR requires from providers to maintain the quality standards set by the program. These include both the day activities to be offered to the patients and the quality and design of the property's natural environment. The CLM has been introduced to the program as a tool of evaluation for the property's landscape and to provide a systematic approach to develop quality standards comparable between the properties.

Figure 7: CLM on-site evaluations of NBR providers.

In the summer of 2024, six of the eight current NBR providers’ properties in the Skåne region were evaluated by independent experts using the Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM). This was the first time the CLM was conducted on rural properties. Previously, the CLM was used almost exclusively on urban environments. For this evaluation, an average of 12 to 23 landscape views per rural property was scored based on site maps, and the average score was computed for each location. This evaluation was carried out in preparation for the fourth procurement phase of the NUR program. The satisfactory performance of the CLM in this new context demonstrates its versatility and reliability, further supporting Sweden's ongoing commitment to integrating Nature-Based Solutions into public health policy. Sweden is the first country in Europe to adopt the Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM) as part of its national health policy.  The adoption reflects their commitment to innovative approaches, including evidence-based initiatives such as the Alnarp Rehabilitation Garden and therapeutic gardens for dementia patients(Pálsdóttir, Wissler, & Thorpert, 2024; Pálsdóttir, O'Brien, Poulsen, & Dolling, 2021), and highlights the country's leadership in promoting preventive health strategies through nature. Sweden's efforts are setting a model example for other European nations to follow in creating healthier, more resilient communities.

Final Thoughts

The path to sustainable (positive) urban futures requires “collaborative, well-coordinated and effective multilateral interventions” by cities and sub-national governments. The health and well-being of citizens are classified as a top priority by the WHO to build resilient cities.  Cities must understand that it is no longer enough to “[build] back better” to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development the New Urban Agenda. It is time to “[build] back differently.”

Improving citizens’ access to mental health programs and developing holistic strategies to address mental illness remains a key concern worldwide. Without transformative action, mental health problems will “contribute to human suffering, premature mortality, and social breakdown, and will slow down economic recovery.” Improving the mental health of communities is essential not only for enhancing the quality of life of individuals but also for the continued economic and social development of states.

Recognizing the health-promoting value of landscapes, by integration of the Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM) by countries like Singapore and Sweden highlights its potential as a vital tool in integrating Nature-Based Solutions into national public health policies. It is, therefore, crucial to continue educating governments and decision-makers across the globe on the impact of evidence-based landscape design on public health. Through continued collaboration, research, and innovation, the CLM can become a foundational tool for preventive health strategies, helping to promote healthier, happier, and more resilient communities across the globe.

Reference List

Grahn, P., & Pálsdóttir, A.-M. (2021). Does more time in a therapeutic garden lead to a faster return to work? A prospective cohort study of nature-based therapy, exploring the relationship between dose and response in the rehabilitation of long-term patients suffering from stress-related mental illness. International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 9, 1000614. https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-9096.1000614

Grahn, P., Pálsdóttir, A.-M., Ottosson, J., & Jonsdottir, I. (2017). Longer nature-based rehabilitation may contribute to a faster return to work in patients with reactions to severe stress and/or depression. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(11), 1310. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14111310

International Union for Conservation of Nature. (n.d.). Nature-based solutions. https://iucn.org/our-work/nature-based-solutions

National Parks Board. (n.d.). City in nature. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/about-us/city-in-nature

Olszewska-Guizzo, A., Fogel, A., Escoffier, N., Sia, A., Nakazawa, K., Kumagai, A., Dan, I., & Ho, R. (2022). Therapeutic garden with contemplative features induces desirable changes in mood and brain activity in depressed adults. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.757056

Olszewska-Guizzo, A., Russo, A., Roberts, A. C., Kühn, S., Marques, B., Tawil, N., & Ho, R. C. (2023). Editorial: Cities and mental health. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1263305. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1263305

Olszewska-Guizzo, A., Sia, A., Fogel, A., Escoffier, N., & Dan, I. (2022). Features of urban green spaces associated with positive emotions, mindfulness, and relaxation. Scientific Reports, 12, 20695. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24637-0

Olszewska-Guizzo, A., Sia, A., & Escoffier, N. (2023). Revised contemplative landscape model (CLM): A reliable and valid evaluation tool for mental health-promoting urban green spaces. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 86, 128016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128016

Pálsdóttir, A.-M., O'Brien, L., Poulsen, D., & Dolling, A. (2021). Exploring migrants’ sense of belonging through participation in an urban agricultural vocational training program in Sweden. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 31(1), 11.

Pálsdóttir, A. M., Wissler, S. K., & Thorpert, P. (2024). An innovative approach in research and development of clinical nature-based rehabilitation in health care and vocational training: The living laboratory, Alnarp rehabilitation garden. Landscape Architecture, 31(5), 116-123. https://doi.org/10.3724/j.fjyl.202404020196

Region Skåne. (n.d.). Naturunderstödd rehabilitering. https://vardgivare.skane.se/vardriktlinjer/forsakringsmedicin/naturunderstodd-rehabilitering/

UN-Habitat. (2022). World cities report 2022: Envisaging the future of cities. United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2022/06/wcr_2022.pdf

United Nations. (n.d.). The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

Wissler, S. K., & Pálsdóttir, A. M. (2024). A quality assurance framework for outdoor environments, facilities, and program standards in nature-based rehabilitation. Landscape Architecture, 31(5), 91-102. https://doi.org/10.3724/j.fjyl.202312140567

World Health Organization. (2021). Mental health promotion and mental disorders prevention: Framework for a comprehensive mental health strategy in Europe. WHO Regional Office for Europe. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289055666

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Global health estimates: Leading causes of DALYs. https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/global-health-estimates-leading-causes-of-dalys

World Health Organization. (n.d.). One Health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/one-health#tab=tab_1

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NeuroLandscape a part of GreenME – the Horizon EU Funded Project!

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

NeuroLandscape is delighted to announce its participation in the consortium selected for the prestigious Horizon Europe GreenME project  with a budget of nearly 6M euro.

This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to advance our mission of integrating nature-based solutions into urban environments for enhanced well-being and sustainable living. Led by Universita Autonoma de Barcelona, the GreenME consortium aims to revolutionize greencare and urban planning practices across Europe. NeuroLandscape's involvement in this groundbreaking initiative will commence on September 1st, 2023, as we eagerly anticipate the positive impact we can collectively make on the health and well-being of urban dwellers.

 

GreenME stands for "Advancing GReenCare in Europe: an integrated multi-scalar approach for the Expansion of Nature-based therapies to improve Mental health Equity" 

This project is an ambitious endeavor that seeks to advance greencare practices across Europe through an integrated, multi-scalar approach. It has received significant recognition and funding through the prestigious Horizon Europe program. This collaborative project brings together leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of nature-based solutions to address pressing urban challenges and create healthier, more sustainable cities.

NeuroLandscape's Involvement in the Consortium

NeuroLandscape's inclusion in the GreenME consortium is a testament to our expertise and commitment to promoting the benefits of nature in urban environments. As a key partner in the consortium, NeuroLandscape will contribute valuable insights and practical experience gained from our extensive research in the quality of urban greening and mental health promotion through the nature connection. Our participation aims to leverage wide international network of contacts, insights from evidence-based design, environmental psychology, and the impact of nature on human health and well-being to support the project's success.

Through collaboration with partners across Europe, NeuroLandscape will actively contribute to the development of innovative approaches and solutions that integrate nature into urban settings. Our goal is to foster positive impacts on mental health, physical well-being, and social cohesion through evidence-based design and strategic implementation of nature-based interventions.

The GreenME Project's Objectives

The GreenME project encompasses a broad range of objectives, each focusing on different aspects of greencare implementation at various scales. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, the project aims to:

  1. Investigate the benefits of nature-based interventions on human health and well-being.
  2. Develop evidence-based design guidelines for creating nature-rich urban environments.
  3. Enhance the role of urban green spaces in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainability.
  4. Establish a European-wide network to facilitate the exchange of best practices and expertise.
  5. Provide policymakers with comprehensive recommendations for integrating greencare strategies into urban planning frameworks.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

Through the GreenME project, NeuroLandscape and its consortium partners strive to achieve transformative outcomes that will positively impact cities and their inhabitants across Europe. By implementing nature-based solutions and greencare strategies, we envision:

  1. Improved mental and physical health outcomes for urban dwellers.
  2. Enhanced ecological resilience and biodiversity in urban environments.
  3. Increased social cohesion and community engagement through nature-based interventions.
  4. Strengthened policy frameworks that prioritize the integration of nature in urban planning for mental health and well-being.
  5. Sustainable urban development that prioritizes the well-being of both people and the planet.

NeuroLandscape's participation in the GreenME project represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of greencare practices in Europe. By four years long collaboration with leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners, we aim to integrate evidence-based research and practical knowledge to create nature-rich urban environments that promote well-being and sustainability.

With the project set to begin on September 1st, 2023, we are poised to embark on this transformative journey. We are confident that the GreenME project will have a profound and lasting impact on the way we approach urban planning and the integration of nature in day-to-day urban living.

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EDRA52 Conference Presentation | Just Environments

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

 

Speech presented at the 25th Environmental Design Research Association 25th Conference in the panel "Green Resilience and Behaviour" by Nazwa Tahsin.

Part of the Research Program "Nature Connection and Mental Health of Communities".

https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.edra.org/resource/resmgr/edra52/subpages/edra52_-_program_book.pdf

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Simply Green is Simply not Enough – a Prelude to Mentally Healthy Cities

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

The fast-paced urbanization and disconnection of people from nature and the current series of lockdowns, contribute to an increasing burden of mental health disease in cities. Researchers have estimated that it is 39% more likely to develop depression when living in urbanized areas as compared to rural regions [source]. Other mental illnesses and neurodegenerative disorders such as anxiety, substance abuse, and dementia are also taking a large toll on the lives of urban dwellers.

The environmental determinants of this phenomenon are most obviously the noise, pollution, and abundance of distracting elements in the space, which keep attention at the mode of alertness. In addition to these factors, there are certain visual constraints and limited contact with nature, which contribute a substantial psychological burden to those living in urbanized spaces.

There are a lot of unanswered questions about the specific mechanisms of why this happens and, more importantly, how to design our cities to not only prevent mental illness but also improve our wellbeing. Several research teams around the world, including our scientists and landscape architects at NeuroLandscape, have been investigating the influence of exposure to different living environments on brain activity.

From multiple neuroscience experiments and cross-sectional analyses, it seems that the quantity of green cover in the city is not enough to trigger a beneficial mental health response. The proximity and accessibility of green spaces in relation to residency is a very important start point to mitigate the mental health decline but does not consistently determine better mental health outcomes. Like in many other aspects of life quality outperforms quantity.

In the era of the color green, urban planners, landscape architects and city managers, lend me your ears! —Do not green cities mindlessly.

There are certain types and components of urban green spaces which can reduce stress levels, restore our attention, regulate emotions, bring back positive motivation, and improve cognitive functioning by just passively experiencing them [our library on that topic]. They include open and panoramic landscape compositions, which allow far-away views into the landscape, but also enclosed pocket gardens inviting for calm relaxation and solitary contemplation. The visibility of natural asymmetry, undulating landforms and a diversified skyline also count towards that restorative effect. Among many other salutogenic landscape design strategies, seasonally changing, lush vegetation, and the presence of strong symbolic features, such as water, play an important role too.

In the endeavor to create liveable cities we have been through several stages, starting with the consideration of functionality and logistics, which was followed by improvements to sanitation, safety, equity, greening and sustainability, and finally led up to a focus on the mental health. The research to support this latest stage is ongoing. However, it is becoming clear that mentally healthy cities rely on the quality rather than quantity of green and natural elements.

With that in mind, nature is not to be visited (like visiting a gallery or animal park) but rather, a backdrop to our daily events and activities. For this vision to be feasible and effective, evidence-based landscape design is indispensable.

BBC Worls Service, My perfect City

NeuroLandscape featured in BBC “My Perfect City”

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

NeuroLandscape featured in BBC "My Perfect City" Series episode which was released on: 30 Dec 2020

New episode of the BBC World Service "My perfect city" features Dr Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo among other experts.  They discuss Singapore as a city which attempts to improve residents' mental wellbeing through urban design.

Generally, people in cities are likely to experience mental health problems.  This counts for about 38% more than people living outside of big cities. Urban greening and creating therapeutic gardens with contemplative features can really help. But also, promoting high amenity public spaces,  physical exercise, housing security and social services are important too! These solutions can make a city more liveable but also reduce rates of disorders such as OCD, anxiety and depression.

But are these community-based, non-medical approaches enough to improve mental health among the population of the highly urbanized Singapore? Let's find out!

 

Listen to the end to find out if Singapore receives 3 ticks -  a perfect city mark.  This means that Singapore should be an example to follow by other cities!

Taking part in the podcast like this one was a great experience. Thanks to endeavours like this one we can share the knowledge from the scientists and inform the public!

Here are some other blog posts related to Singapore:

  1. Singapore Urban Sustainability MND Congress.
  2. IFLA Conference, Singapore
  3. Neuroscience data collection outdoors
  4. NeuroLandscape featured in BBC "My Perfect City"
Conscious Cities Festival

Healthy Cities – Cities for Humans, Conscious Warsaw 2020 (VIDEO)

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

A speech presented during the "Conscious Warsaw - Sensing our City" webinar organized by the Center for Conscious Design, which took place on October 22, 2020, in Polish (English subtitles available in this video!).

Dr. Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo presented a new concept of designing mentally healthy cities based on contact with salutogenic natural landscapes (Contemplative Landscapes) and introduced the scientific background and activities of her NGO.

The entire webinar is available on https://theccd.org/domain/conscious-warsaw/

Centre for Conscious Design: www.theccd.org

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Affordable Technologies for Evidence Based Studies and Mind Monitoring

Posted on by Nazwa

The built environment and mental health of the residents within the city are extremely interconnected. Daily exposures are known to influence psychological processes, having both known and unknown consequences. The study of Gary W. Evans from 2003 points out that personal control, social support and restoration from stress and fatigue in the physical environment directly impacts mental health. He also points out the need for evidence-based studies and methods. “Mind Monitoring” is a method to consider in such studies, as this makes bringing out evidence easier. 

Unfortunately, our knowledge of the relation between mind and physical environment, especially in developing countries, is very little. Technology to conduct cross-sectional scientific studies is one of the biggest impedances. 

A lot of devices are making our day to day lives easier, productive and entertaining in innumerous ways. But these are the tools that have the potential to be used in mind monitoring. They make research on environmental impacts on minds more affordable. 

EEG a Mind Monitoring method

EEG stands for electroencephalogram. It is a test to find out and monitor the electrical activity of the brain using various noninvasive electrodes placed across the scalp. EEG electrodes pick up the electrical activity in the user’s brain. And then the collected signals are amplified and digitized and sent to a computer or mobile device for storage and data processing. Recently, these tests have been made affordable with new designs and exploring ways to use smartphones.

Some recent EEG devices

  • NeuroSky launched quite a number of second-generation products, such as MindWave, MindWave Mobile, MindWave Mobile Plus and MindWave Mobile 2. Mindwave Mobile 2 is the most affordable brainwave reading EEG headset. These devices are used in games, education, wellness, research and development.
  • Emotiv products achieved better performance and wider scalp coverage by using a higher number of channels and wet electrodes. This caused Emotiv products to have a more complicated set-up and higher price tag. Some Emotiv products are Insight, EPOC X, MN8 etc. They can provide easy-to-understand feedback on the level of stress and distraction to improve workplace wellness, safety and productivity.
  • Muse is a meditation facilitating device that comes along with a mobile application. Muse 2, Muse S are available having a lot of features. Provides real-time feedback on user’s brain activity, heart rate, breathing and body movements
  • Some other devices, such as: MyndPlay MyndBand, Aurora Dreamband, FocusBand, Neeuro SenzeBand work with various mind monitoring activities. For example: empowering users to train their brains to improve attention, meditation skills, for better sleep, dream clarity etc.

Price comparison

Company Product Release Year Price (USD)
NeuroSky MindWave Mobile 2  2018 199.00
Emotiv INSIGHT 2015 299.00
EPOC X 2020 849.00
MN8 Still in production 
interaXon Muse 2014 199.00
Muse 2 2016 249.00
Muse S 2019 349.00
OpenBCI OpenBCI 2014 349.00 (Ultracortex Mark IV)

399.00 (Electrode Cap)
MyndPlay  Myndband 2014 299.00
Aurora DreamBand 2015 299.00
FocusBand FocusBand 2016 600.00
Neeuro SenzeBand 2016 299.00

The researchers and practitioners of developing countries like Bangladesh or Colombia are not much aware of these EEG solutions. Most of the time the price range would still be unaffordable. But the products provided by NeuroSky,  interaXon and MyndPlay are comparatively less costly and can be affordable for the research and mental health practitioners in Bangladesh.

Summing up, affordable technologies for mind monitoring are now rising.  And a displayable number of multidisciplinary collaborative research and experiments in this sector will increase their potential to a great extent!

Authors: Muntaka Ibnath, Nazwa Tahsin

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Landscape & Brain – neuroscience data collection outdoors (VIDEO)

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

Brain scans outdoors: how to collect reliable EEG and FNIRS data in-situ?

Rigorous neuroscience research would question collecting the neuroscience data outdoors, due to too many confounding factors occurring and researchers not being able to control them all. In the sensory exposure research, each participant has to be exposed to the same set of stimuli, which is very difficult if not impossible in an outdoor setting.  For example, small environmental nuances such as certain type of cloud covering the sun would change the amount of light reaching the eye of the participant , which can dramatically change the alpha power produced by the brain.

For this sake we should collect the exposure data in a controlled-lab environment, controlling for each factor such as brightness, temperature, etc. Also, we should use the same set of stimuli, that can be recorded in a form of photo, video or more immersive - VR.

However, environmental researchers, landscape architects and ecologists will all agree that the exposure to nature in the lab has nothing to do with the one outdoors in a real setting. Lab-based experiment lacks the so-called "ecological validity" - meaning it cannot be fully compared with the real experience. As it is essential to advance the knowledge in the area of real exposure to nature as opposed to natural images, we took a challenge to collect a reliable data outdoors, while controlling for most important environmental factors (temperature, humidity, brightness and noise), and making sure for each participant the experience is as similar as possible.

We recorded the video of in-situ data collection from the "Effects of Landscapes on the Brain" project in Singapore, where we show how the EEG and fNIRS data can be collected outside. We have published the preliminary findings from that research in a journal.

Let us know if you have comments or questions about that procedure, also share and support pushing this discipline forward!

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Designing & Using School Grounds to Support Mental Health (Video Available!)

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

The video from the webinar is already available on! The webinar organized by the International School Grounds Alliance and the Children &Nature Network on how school grounds can be designed and used to support took place on June 23rd 2020, and featured research and design insights on how to design mentally healthy outdoor spaces for children.

Everyone interested in design for children will find a lot of inspiration in this video, in other words it's a must-see! We are very proud and grateful that NeuroLandscape could be a part of this insightful panel!

The program featured:

  1. an introduction to the ISGA activity by Kerry Logan;
  2. showcasing international best-practice examples, by Kathrin Schmiele;
  3. research and design lessons from neuroscience by Dr Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo;
  4. strategies for the design of schoolyards for students Claire Latané.

Related post

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Take part in our survey and support research and development in the times of pandemic

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

The current global outbreak of #COVID19 makes the problem of our living space and mental health more relevant than ever. Read more in our recent blog post.  This is why we need new solutions and new approaches.

Please complete this 5-min, anonymous survey. If possible, share it with your family and friends, with special attention to elderly people, who (that’s our guess) could benefit from our solutions the most.

The form is available in 5 languages:

1) English – https://forms.gle/SDfC3reh21pXdWw79

2) Polish – https://forms.gle/5jkfNLn7vrsVRKLW9

3) Italian – https://forms.gle/DMPEYNVtKXFLQ1367

4) Spanish – https://forms.gle/3iUCWRZMJ4HhUYWp6

5) French –https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchCH4Wzs4Y7eVtHHtsB0SrIbs23-I2mgvIz0vmGjQCsgYzQg/viewform

We envision to share the results from this survey on our website soon, in the form of a comprehensive report.

Stay tuned. Stay healthy. Stay sane.