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The role of fragrance and physiological responses in enhancing thermal comfort: A review.

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Title: The role of fragrance and physiological responses in enhancing thermal comfort: A review.
Authors: Gousineyah1 (AUTHOR), Zaki, Sheikh Ahmad1 (AUTHOR) sheikh.kl@utm.my, Singh, Manoj Kumar2 (AUTHOR), Rijal, Hom B.3 (AUTHOR)
Source: Building & Environment. Feb2026, Vol. 289, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subject Terms: *Thermal comfort, *Physiology, Sensory evaluation, Evidence gaps, Home fragrances, Cognition
Abstract: • Fragrance offers a low-energy strategy to support comfort in warm indoor climates. • Fragrance exposure enhances thermal comfort through physiological responses. • Cognitive responses to fragrance vary depending on scent type and task demands. • Multisensory design using scent, sound, and visuals enhances the indoor comfort experience. • Current studies lack diversity, long-term exposure data, and physiological tracking. Indoor thermal comfort critically influences human health, well-being, and productivity, especially in urban environments facing rapid urbanization and climate change challenges. While extensive research has focused on physical parameters such as temperature, humidity, and airflow, non-thermal factors like fragrance remain underexplored despite their potential to modulate perception and physiological responses. Our systematic review analyzed 53 eligible studies selected from 520 screened records to investigate how fragrance affects thermal comfort through both subjective evaluations and objective measurements. This review systematically examines how fragrance affects thermal comfort in indoor environments by integrating subjective evaluations and objective physiological indicators. The synthesis reveals that fragrance exerts context-dependent effects on thermal sensation, cognitive function, and emotional state. Essential oils served as the primary stimuli in 70% of studies, though methodological inconsistencies, particularly in dosage and delivery methods, hinder cross-study comparisons. Physiological assessments focused more on autonomic nervous system responses (30%) than central nervous system measures (50%). Identified research gaps include limited studies in dynamic thermal conditions, insufficient demographic representation, and a lack of methodological standardization. To address these, we propose future research directions such as cross-cultural evaluations, dose-response profiling, and integration with adaptive comfort frameworks. This review contributes to the evolving understanding of multisensory comfort and informs design strategies for more responsive, energy-efficient indoor environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: GreenFILE
Description
Abstract:• Fragrance offers a low-energy strategy to support comfort in warm indoor climates. • Fragrance exposure enhances thermal comfort through physiological responses. • Cognitive responses to fragrance vary depending on scent type and task demands. • Multisensory design using scent, sound, and visuals enhances the indoor comfort experience. • Current studies lack diversity, long-term exposure data, and physiological tracking. Indoor thermal comfort critically influences human health, well-being, and productivity, especially in urban environments facing rapid urbanization and climate change challenges. While extensive research has focused on physical parameters such as temperature, humidity, and airflow, non-thermal factors like fragrance remain underexplored despite their potential to modulate perception and physiological responses. Our systematic review analyzed 53 eligible studies selected from 520 screened records to investigate how fragrance affects thermal comfort through both subjective evaluations and objective measurements. This review systematically examines how fragrance affects thermal comfort in indoor environments by integrating subjective evaluations and objective physiological indicators. The synthesis reveals that fragrance exerts context-dependent effects on thermal sensation, cognitive function, and emotional state. Essential oils served as the primary stimuli in 70% of studies, though methodological inconsistencies, particularly in dosage and delivery methods, hinder cross-study comparisons. Physiological assessments focused more on autonomic nervous system responses (30%) than central nervous system measures (50%). Identified research gaps include limited studies in dynamic thermal conditions, insufficient demographic representation, and a lack of methodological standardization. To address these, we propose future research directions such as cross-cultural evaluations, dose-response profiling, and integration with adaptive comfort frameworks. This review contributes to the evolving understanding of multisensory comfort and informs design strategies for more responsive, energy-efficient indoor environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:03601323
DOI:10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.114007