The sound of running water induces a soothing psychological and physiological effect

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

3 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Evidence from multiple soundscape and virtual reality studies indicates that natural acoustic elements, including the sound of running water, promote psychological restoration and positive physiological responses.

The analysis

The retrieved papers examine natural soundscapes that incorporate water sounds (streams, waterfalls, fountains) alongside forest acoustics. Studies like [5], [6], and [8] provide direct empirical evidence supporting the claim that these soundscapes enhance psychological mood, restoration, and certain physiological markers associated with stress reduction. None of the papers refute the claim.

Evidence for · 3

Relationship between soundscape perception and psychophysiological responses to virtual environmental events

Recorded source metadata

Hyowon Yoon, Jin Yong Jeon. Relationship between soundscape perception and psychophysiological responses to virtual environmental events. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-024-01087-9

Demonstrates that virtual environments featuring stream and waterfall sounds facilitate psychophysiological restoration and positive changes in heart rate variability.

Source citation format

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More for · 2

Forest soundscapes improve mood, restoration and cognition, but not physiological stress or immunity, relative to industrial soundscapes

Recorded source metadata

Daniel P. Longman, Stephen C. Van Hedger, Kirsten McEwan, E. Griffin, C. Hannon, Isabella Harvey, Taisei Kikuta, Matt Nickels, E. O’Donnell, V. Pham, J. Robinson, R. Slater, Mate Szazvai, Jenna Williams, Colin N. Shaw. Forest soundscapes improve mood, restoration and cognition, but not physiological stress or immunity, relative to industrial soundscapes. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11469-x

Shows that forest soundscapes including running water significantly improve biomarkers of mood, restoration, and cognition relative to industrial soundscapes.

Source citation format

A Study of Soundscape Restoration in Office-Type Pocket Parks

Recorded source metadata

Yaping Wang, Xin Deng, Yanqiu Cui, Xin Zhao. A Study of Soundscape Restoration in Office-Type Pocket Parks. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14041047

Highlights that water sounds such as small fountain sounds act as coordinated and restorative acoustic elements in urban environments.

Source citation format

The paper trail · every fact has a biography

first checked01 Aug 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 8201 Aug 2026

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