Working Memory After Nature Exposure: The Role of Interoceptive Awareness

Abstract

This study investigated working memory (WM) performance before and after nature exposure. In addition, it investigated if interoceptive awareness (IA) and walking duration would moderate this relationship. Forty-eight participants were randomly allocated to a 10- or 25-minute walk. WM was measured before and after the walk using an N-back task and IA was measured via three subscales (Not-Distracting, Attention Regulation and Emotional Awareness) of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) scale. Results showed a significant improvement in WM following nature exposure, regardless of walk duration. There was no significant main or moderation effects of IA. A significant interaction was however found between Not-Distracting and walk duration: for long walks, there was a higher correlation between Not-Distracting and WM performance. Low reliability in this study for Not-Distracting cautions against firm interpretation, but results suggest further investigation is warranted.