Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis

Authors: Vanessa Perez, Dominik D Alexander, William H Bailey

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Psychological effects of air ions have been reported for more than 80 years in the media and scientific literature. This study summarizes a qualitative literature review and quantitative meta-analysis, where applicable, that examines the potential effects of exposure to negative and positive air ions on psychological measures of mood and emotional state.

Methods

A structured literature review was conducted to identify human experimental studies published through August, 2012. Thirty-three studies (1957–2012) evaluating the effects of air ionization on depression, anxiety, mood states, and subjective feelings of mental well-being in humans were included. Five studies on negative ionization and depression (measured using a structured interview guide) were evaluated by level of exposure intensity (high vs. low) using meta-analysis.

Results

Consistent ionization effects were not observed for anxiety, mood, relaxation/sleep, and personal comfort. In contrast, meta-analysis results showed that negative ionization, overall, was significantly associated with lower depression ratings, with a stronger association observed at high levels of negative ion exposure (mean summary effect and 95% confidence interval (CI) following high- and low-density exposure: 14.28 (95% CI: 12.93-15.62) and 7.23 (95% CI: 2.62-11.83), respectively). The response to high-density ionization was observed in patients with seasonal or chronic depression, but an effect of low-density ionization was observed only in patients with seasonal depression. However, no relationship between the duration or frequency of ionization treatment on depression ratings was evident.

Conclusions

No consistent influence of positive or negative air ionization on anxiety, mood, relaxation, sleep, and personal comfort measures was observed. Negative air ionization was associated with lower depression scores particularly at the highest exposure level. Future research is needed to evaluate the biological plausibility of this association.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Bracken TD: Small Air Ion Properties. Air Ions: Physical and Biological Aspects. Edited by: Charry JM, Kavet R. 1987, Boca Raton: CRC Press
2.
Bracken TD, Johnson GB: Small Air Ion Environments. Air Ions: Physical and Biological Aspects. Edited by: Charry JM, Kavet R. 1987, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 13-21.
3.
Chalmers JA: Atmospheric Electricity. 1967, New York: Pergamon Press
4.
Flory R, Ametepe J, Bowers B: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of bright light and high-density negative air ions for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Psychiatry Res. 2010, 177 (1–2): 101-108.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Goel N, Etwaroo GR: Bright light, negative air ions and auditory stimuli produce rapid mood changes in a student population: a placebo-controlled study. Psychol Med. 2006, 36 (9): 1253-1263. 10.1017/S0033291706008002.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Terman M, Terman JS: Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with a high-output negative ionizer. J Altern Complement Med. 1995, 1 (1): 87-92. 10.1089/acm.1995.1.87.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Terman M, Terman JS: Controlled trial of naturalistic dawn simulation and negative air ionization for seasonal affective disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2006, 163 (12): 2126-2133. 10.1176/appi.ajp.163.12.2126.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Terman M, Terman JS, Ross DC: A controlled trial of timed bright light and negative air ionization for treatment of winter depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1998, 55 (10): 875-882. 10.1001/archpsyc.55.10.875.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Malik M, Singh K, Singh M: Effect of negative air ions on physiological and perceived psychological stress during computer operation. Int J Environment and Health. 2010, 4: 67-77. 10.1504/IJENVH.2010.033035.CrossRef
10.
Nakane H, Asami O, Yamada Y, Ohira H: Effect of negative air ions on computer operation, anxiety and salivary chromogranin A-like immunoreactivity. Int J Psychophysiol. 2002, 46 (1): 85-89. 10.1016/S0167-8760(02)00067-3.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Assael M, Pfeifer Y, Sulman FG: Influence of artificial air ionisation on the human electroencephalogram. Int J Biometeorol. 1974, 18 (4): 306-372. 10.1007/BF01463720.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Buckalew LW, Rizzuto A: Subjective response to negative air ion exposure. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1982, 53 (8): 822-823.PubMed
13.
Lips R, Salawu JT, Kember P, Probert SD: Intermittent exposures to enhanced air-ion concentrations for improved comfort and increased productivity?. Applied Energy. 1987, 28: 83-94. 10.1016/0306-2619(87)90043-2.CrossRef
14.
Misiaszek J, Gray F, Yates A: The calming effects of negative air ions on manic patients: a pilot study. Biol Psychiatry. 1987, 22 (1): 107-110. 10.1016/0006-3223(87)90137-5.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Charry JM, Hawkinshire FB: Effects of atmospheric electricity on some substrates of disordered social behavior. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1981, 41 (1): 185-197.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Giannini AJ, Jones BT, Loiselle RH: Reversibility of serotonin irritation syndrome with atmospheric anions. J Clin Psychiatry. 1986, 47 (3): 141-143.PubMed
17.
McGurk F: Psychological effects of artificially produced air ions. Am J Phys Med. 1959, 38: 136-137.CrossRef
18.
Hedge A, Collis MD: Do negative air ions affect human mood and performance?. Ann Occup Hyg. 1987, 31 (3): 285-290. 10.1093/annhyg/31.3.285.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Yaglou CP: Are Air Ions a Neglected Biological Factor?. The Air We Breathe-A Study of Man and His Environment. Edited by: Farber SM, Wilson R. 1961, Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas
20.
Charry JM: Biological Effects of Air Ions: A Comprehensive Review of Laboratory and Clinical Data. Air Ions: Physical and Biological Aspects. Edited by: Charry JM, Kavet R. 1987, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 91-160.
21.
Bailey WH, Bissell M, Brambl RM, Dorn CR, Hoppel WA, Sheppard AR, Stebbings JH: A Health and Safety Evaluation of the + / - 400 KV Powerline. 1982, St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Environmental Quality Board
22.
Goel N, Terman M, Terman JS, Macchi MM, Stewart JW: Controlled trial of bright light and negative air ions for chronic depression. Psychol Med. 2005, 35 (7): 945-955. 10.1017/S0033291705005027.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Rothstein H, Sutton A, Borenstein M: Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis: Prevention, Assessments, and Adjustments. 2005, : John Wiley and Sons, LtdCrossRef
24.
Dauphinais DR, Rosenthal JZ, Terman M, DiFebo HM, Tuggle C: Rosenthal NE: Controlled trial of safety and efficacy of bright light therapy vs. negative air ions in patients with bipolar depression. Psychiatry Res. 2012, 196 (1): 57-61. 10.1016/j.psychres.2012.01.015.CrossRefPubMed
25.
Dantzler BS, Martin BG, Nelson HS: The effect of positive and negative air ions on bronchial asthma. Ann Allergy. 1983, 51 (3): 362-366.PubMed
26.
Giannini AJ, Giannini JD, Melemis S, Giannini JN: Treatment of acute mania with ambient air anionization: variants of climactic heat stress and serotonin syndrome. Psychol Rep. 2007, 100 (1): 157-163. 10.2466/pr0.100.1.157-163.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Silverman D, Kornblueh IH: Effect of artificial ionization of the air on the electroencephalogram; preliminary report. Am J Phys Med. 1957, 36 (6): 352-358.PubMed
28.
Baron RA, Russell GW, Arms RL: Negative ions and behavior: impact on mood, memory, and aggression among type A and type B persons. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1985, 48 (3): 746-754.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Deleanu M, Stamatiu C: Influence of aeroionotherapy on some psychiatric symptoms. Int J Biometeorol. 1985, 29 (1): 91-96. 10.1007/BF02189012.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Giannini AJ, Jones BT, Loiselle RH, Price WA: Anxiogenic effects of generated ambient cations--a preliminary study. Int J Psychiatry Med. 1986–87, 16 (3): 243-248. 10.2190/GM1H-2GBG-JK6R-VY2A.CrossRef
31.
Harmer CJ, Charles M, McTavish S, Favaron E, Cowen PJ: Negative ion treatment increases positive emotional processing in seasonal affective disorder. Psychol Med. 2012, 42 (8): 1605-1612. 10.1017/S0033291711002820.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Malcolm CP, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ: High-density negative ion treatment increases positive affective memory. Psychol Med. 2009, 39 (11): 1930-1932. 10.1017/S0033291709990444.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Reilly T, Stevenson IC: An investigation of the effects of negative air ions on responses to submaximal exercise at different times of day. J Hum Ergol (Tokyo). 1993, 22 (1): 1-9.
34.
Tom G, Poole MF, Galla J, Berrier J: The influence of negative air ions on human performance and mood. Hum Factors. 1981, 23 (5): 633-636.PubMed
35.
Watanabe I, Noro H, Ohtsuka Y, Mano Y, Agishi Y: Physical effects of negative air ions in a wet sauna. Int J Biometeorol. 1997, 40 (2): 107-112. 10.1007/s004840050028.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Giannini AJ, Jones BT, Loiselle RH, Price WA: Anxiogenic effects of generated ambient cations--a preliminary study. Int J Psychiatry Med. 1986–1987, 16 (3): 243-248. 10.2190/GM1H-2GBG-JK6R-VY2A.CrossRef
37.
Albrechtsen O, Clausen V, Christensen FG, Jensen JG, Moller T: The influence of small atmospheric ions on human well-being and mental performance. Int J Biometeorol. 1978, 22 (4): 249-262. 10.1007/BF01552806.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Hawkins LH: The influence of air ions, temperature and humidity on subjective wellbeing and comfort. J Environ Psych. 1981, 1: 279-292. 10.1016/S0272-4944(81)80026-6.CrossRef
39.
Iwama H, Ohmizo H, Obara S: The relaxing effect of negative air ions on ambulatory surgery patients. Can J Anaesth. 2004, 51 (2): 187-188. 10.1007/BF03018784.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Finnegan MJ, Pickering CA, Gill FS, Ashton I, Froese D: Effect of negative ion generators in a sick building. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1987, 294 (6581): 1195-1196. 10.1136/bmj.294.6581.1195.CrossRef
41.
Harmer CJ, Cowen PJ, Goodwin GM: Efficacy markers in depression. J Psychopharmacol. 2011, 25 (9): 1148-1158. 10.1177/0269881110367722.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Harmer CJ, O'Sullivan U, Favaron E, Massey-Chase R, Ayres R, Reinecke A, Goodwin GM, Cowen PJ: Effect of acute antidepressant administration on negative affective bias in depressed patients. Am J Psychiatry. 2009, 166 (10): 1178-1184. 10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.09020149.CrossRefPubMed
43.
Leppamaki S, Haukka J, Lonnqvist J, Partonen T: Drop-out and mood improvement: a randomised controlled trial with light exposure and physical exercise [ISRCTN36478292]. BMC Psychiatry. 2004, 4: 22-10.1186/1471-244X-4-22.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
44.
Loving RT, Kripke DF, Shuchter SR: Bright light augments antidepressant effects of medication and wake therapy. Depress Anxiety. 2002, 16 (1): 1-3. 10.1002/da.10036.CrossRefPubMed
45.
Partonen T, Leppamaki S, Hurme J, Lonnqvist J: Randomized trial of physical exercise alone or combined with bright light on mood and health-related quality of life. Psychol Med. 1998, 28 (6): 1359-1364. 10.1017/S0033291798007491.CrossRefPubMed
46.
Wileman SM, Eagles JM, Andrew JE, Howie FL, Cameron IM, McCormack K, Naji SA: Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder in primary care: randomised controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry. 2001, 178: 311-316. 10.1192/bjp.178.4.311.CrossRefPubMed
47.
Charry JM: Biological effects of small air ions: a review of findings and methods. Environmental Research. 1984, 34: 351-389. 10.1016/0013-9351(84)90104-X.CrossRefPubMed
48.
Weinberger AH, McKee SA, Mazure CM: Inclusion of women and gender-specific analyses in randomized clinical trials of treatments for depression. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2010, 19 (9): 1727-1732. 10.1089/jwh.2009.1784.CrossRef
49.
Bailey WH, Charry JM: Acute exposure of rats to air ions: Effects on the regional concentration and utilization of serotonin in brain. Bioelectromagnetics. 1987, 8: 173-181. 10.1002/bem.2250080208.CrossRefPubMed
50.
Charry JM, Bailey WH: Regional turnover of norepinephrine and dopamine in rat brain following acute exposure to air ions. Bioelectromagnetics. 1985, 6: 173-185.CrossRef
51.
Dowdall M, De Montigny C: Effect of atmospheric ions on hippocampal pyramidal neuron responsiveness to serotonin. Brain Res. 1985, 342 (1): 103-109. 10.1016/0006-8993(85)91357-5.CrossRefPubMed
52.
Beck AT, Ward CH, Mendelson M, Mock J, Erbaugh J: An inventory for measuring depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1961, 4: 561-571. 10.1001/archpsyc.1961.01710120031004.CrossRefPubMed
53.
Radloff LS: The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Appl Phsychological Measurement. 1977, 1: 385-401. 10.1177/014662167700100306.CrossRef
54.
Zung WW: A self-rating depression scale. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1965, 12: 63-70. 10.1001/archpsyc.1965.01720310065008.CrossRefPubMed
55.
Afifi M: Gender differences in mental health. Singapore Med J. 2007, 48 (5): 385-391.PubMed
56.
McRae K, Ochsner K, Mauss I, Gabrieli J, Gross J: Gender differences in emotion regulation: An fMRI study of cognitive reappraisal. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations. 2008, 11: 143-162. 10.1177/1368430207088035.CrossRef
57.
Vigil JM: A socio-relational framework of sex differences in the expression of emotion. Behav Brain Sci. 2009, 32 (5): 375-390. 10.1017/S0140525X09991075. discussion 391–428CrossRefPubMed
58.
Demyttenaere K, Bruffaerts R, Posada-Villa J, Gasquet I, Kovess V, Lepine JP, Angermeyer MC, Bernert S, de Girolamo G, Morosini P: Prevalence, severity, and unmet need for treatment of mental disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys. JAMA. 2004, 291 (21): 2581-2590.CrossRefPubMed
59.
Kessler RC, Berglund P, Demler O, Jin R, Merikangas KR, Walters EE: Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005, 62 (6): 593-602. 10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593.CrossRefPubMed
60.
Kessler RC, Merikangas KR, Berglund P, Eaton WW, Koretz DS, Walters EE: Mild disorders should not be eliminated from the DSM-V. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2003, 60 (11): 1117-1122. 10.1001/archpsyc.60.11.1117.CrossRefPubMed
61.
World Health Organization: Conquering Depression. 2001, Lyons: World Health Organization, Regional Office for Southeast Asia
Metadata
Title
Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis
Authors
Vanessa Perez
Dominik D Alexander
William H Bailey
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-13-29

Other articles of this Issue 1/2013

BMC Psychiatry 1/2013 Go to the issue

Research article

A new chronobiological approach to discriminate between acute and chronic depression using peripheral temperature, rest-activity, and light exposure parameters

Research article

Interactions between risky decisions, impulsiveness and smoking in young tattooed women

Research article

Patient and prescriber perspectives on long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics and analysis of in-office discussion regarding LAI treatment for schizophrenia

Research article

Attitudes towards the administration of long-acting antipsychotics: a survey of physicians and nurses

Research article

Perspectives on reasons for non-adherence to medication in persons with schizophrenia in Ethiopia: a qualitative study of patients, caregivers and health workers

Research article

Improvement of quality of life in methadone treatment patients in northern Taiwan: a follow-up study