Associations of cognitive functionng and mental well-being of individuals with atrial fibrillation with perceived environmental stressors and contact with nature
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67667/NEU.v26i2.212Keywords:
air pollution, neuropsychology, environment, mental health, noise pollutionAbstract
There is growing evidence of the link between environmental factors and neurocognitive health, but relatively little is still known about them.
Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the associations of air pollution and noise annoyances in the residential environment, and time spent in nature with cognitive functioning and symptoms ofanxiety and depression among individuals with atrial fibrillation aged 45 to 65 years.
Materials and methods: A longitudinal study was conducted among 56 outpatients with atrial fibrillation, between 2023 and 2025, examined at the St. George University Hospital in Plovdiv. They completed a questionnaire collecting information about their socio-demographic characteristics, perceptions of their living environment, lifestyle, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Isaac’s Set Test, and Patient Health Questionnaire 4-item form were administered.
Results: Our results support the study hypothesis, suggesting that spending more time in nature is protectively associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression and overall cognitive functioning. The noise and air pollution annoyances in the living environment appear to be associated with poorer neuropsychological test scores.
Conclusion: Perceptions of the living environment are associated with indicators of neuropsychological health. These results provide grounds for taking environmental factors into account in the social history of individuals in that group. Further research is needed in larger and more representative samples.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Borislava Atanasova, Angel Dzhambov, Mariya Tokmakova, Rafiela Chitak, Penka Atanasova
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