Kansei interaction between fragrance and behavior in music therapy

The aim of this study is to clarify the effect which aroma (fragrance and/or flavor) push to the behavior in a scene of the music therapy. The music therapy is designed to improve the functioning of mind and body at using which music has the function and role for the illness and health. And this therapy is used in broad fields such as a mental disease, a dementia, a handicap, and a terminal care, etc., however, the rehabilitation effect is not clear. So, we studied the behavioral effect to the demented elderly by using the rhythm instrument with and/or without the four types of fragrances, which are all natural oils. The frequency which the musical instruments were shaken by elderly was measured as active index, and was compared, under the condition of with and/or without fragrance. Result showed different improvement in the behavior depending on the kind of fragrance. Peppermint oil activated the behavior, and cinnamon oil inactivated the behavior. Similar effects of peppermint and cinnamon were observed in the evaluation of music therapy scene. The aroma strengths of these four fragrances were weak enough, so the elderly participants were not conscious of the aroma. If the participants were to try to find the character of these fragrances, they would need to pay attention and consciously aware of the aroma. We concluded that the fragrances have had the subliminal effect on the participant, as a result affected the behavior of the elderly. We propose the new function of the aroma and the improvement in the music therapy effect by clarifying Kansei interaction of the aroma and behavior in this research. Moreover, we think that it is important also from the viewpoint of transfer of scent information to research the human activity to a scent stimulus.