Medical empirical research on forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku): a systematic review

Yang, Wen; Yan, Qi; Pan, Yangliu; Gu, Xinren; Liu, Yuanqiu

doi:10.1186/s12199-019-0822-8

Cited by 168 publications

(160 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…CIM exercises offers a range of preventive possibilities that may also include MBM approaches (91,92,(107)(108)(109). Exercise practiced in open air such as Nordicwalking or a walk in the forest may have greater overall positive effects than fitness training in a studio or indoor home situations (110,111).…”

Section: Exercisementioning

confidence: 99%

The Relevance of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Review of the Literature

et al. 2020

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Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic people are facing risks of adverse health effects due to the restrictions implemented such as quarantine measures, reduced social contact, and self-isolation. In this qualitative review, we collected data on potential preventive and therapeutic health benefits of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) that might be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have reviewed the scientific literature to summarize CIM practices that could be beneficial for improving physical and mental health and well-being of the population under the current pandemic circumstances. It must be noted that this review is not SARS-CoV-2 specific and we explicitly do not intend to make any SARS-CoV-2 specific health claims in this article.Methods and Findings: A qualitative, non-systematic literature review was conducted in Medline to identify literature describing preventive and therapeutic CIM approaches for strengthening mental and physical health. For a variety of CIM approaches clinical evidence was identified, indicating beneficial effects. CIM approaches include specific dietary measures and selected micronutrients, physical activity, techniques from Mind-Body Medicine, single botanicals or botanical compounds, and spending time in nature among others. The effects of CIM measures on conditions like obesity and hypertension are of special relevance here, as these conditions are considered as risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19. Moreover, a possibly direct effect of CIM approaches on immune functions and clinical parameters in respiratory tract infections, such as influenza, were identified. The findings of this review could be helpful for clinicians, patients, and the general population during the current pandemic when discussing and/or considering CIM options.Conclusions: CIM offers a variety of preventive and therapeutic options for strengthening physical and mental resilience, which could also be useful in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence of CIM approaches with a potential benefit in the COVID-19 pandemic in different areas is worth to be analyzed. While this qualitative review has several obvious limitations, it might serve as useful starting point for further research on this topic.

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Section: Exercisementioning

confidence: 99%

The Relevance of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Review of the Literature

et al. 2020

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“…In recent years researchers have begun to explore the possibility that outdoor recreational activity experiences may have therapeutic benefit to military veterans with PTSD. Outdoor recreational experiences have attracted a multitude of labels including 'green exercise' [23,28], 'therapeutic recreation' [29], 'forest bathing' [30] 'peer outdoor support therapy' [31], 'nature adventure rehabilitation' [32], 'nature based therapy' [33] and 'nature recreation experience' [34]. These interventions often combine the benefits of a natural environment with learning a new recreational skill from certified professionals.…”

Section: An Alternative Approach: Outdoor Recreation Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outdoor recreational activity experiences improve psychological wellbeing of military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Positive findings from a pilot study and a randomised controlled trial

et al. 2020

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Exposure to the natural environment is increasingly considered to benefit psychological health. Recent reports in the literature also suggest that outdoor exposure that includes recreational pursuits such as surfing or fishing coupled with opportunities for social interaction with peers may be beneficial to Armed Forces Veterans experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Two studies were conducted to evaluate this possibility. In particular, these studies aimed to test the hypothesis that a brief group outdoor activity would decrease participants’ symptoms as assessed by established measures of PTSD, depression, anxiety and perceived stress, and increase participants’ sense of general social functioning and psychological growth. Experiment one employed a repeated measures design in which UK men and women military veterans with PTSD (N = 30) participated in a group outdoor activity (angling, equine care, or archery and falconry combined). Psychological measures were taken at 2 weeks prior, 2 weeks post, and at 4 month follow up. We obtained a significant within participant main effect indicating significant reduction in PTSD symptoms. Experiment two was a waitlist controlled randomised experiment employing an angling experience (N = 18) and 2 week follow up. In experiment 2 the predicted interaction of Group (Experimental vs. Waitlist Control) X Time (2 weeks pre vs. 2 weeks post) was obtained indicating that the experience resulted in significant reduction in PTSD symptoms relative to waitlist controls. The effect size was large. Additional analyses confirmed that the observed effects might also be considered clinically significant and reliable. In sum, peer outdoor experiences are beneficial and offer potential to complement existing provision for military veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Trial registration The authors confirm that all ongoing and related trials for this intervention are registered. The studies reported in this manuscript are registered as clinical trials at ISRCTN: Pilot ID– ISRCTN15325073 RCT ID– ISRCTN59395217

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“…A study conducted in Japan found forest bathing activities were effective at lowering blood pressure and improving negative emotions in working-age adults [37]. Five systematic reviews evaluated the effects of forest bathing on health and well-being [17,18,20,38,39]. One review of 28 studies assessed the effects of forest bathing and concluded that forest bathing was effective at reducing levels of depression in adults [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three other reviews-one of six randomized controlled trials and another two of 68 studies and 28 studies-examined the multiple physiological and psychological benefits of spending time in a forest [20,38,39]. These three reviews reported that forest therapy had beneficial effects on blood pressure, heart rate, pulse rate, and immune function, led to a reduction in inflammation, a decrease in the secretion of stress hormones, an improvement in cardiopulmonary functions and endocrine function, and to a reduction in depression and improvement in mood [20,38,39]. However, these reviews concluded that evidence of the therapeutic effects of forest bathing was insufficient to establish clinical guidelines on its use as a health promotion or disease prevention strategy for preventive medicine.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of forest bathing on pre-hypertensive and hypertensive adults: a review of the literature

Yau

Loke

2020

Environ Health Prev Med

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The aim in this literature review was (1) to explore the physiologically and psychologically therapeutic benefits of forest bathing on adults suffering from pre-hypertension or hypertension, and (2) to identify the type, duration, and frequency of an effective forest bathing intervention in the management of pre-hypertension and hypertension, so as to provide directions for future interventions or research. The electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsyINFO, and the China Academic Journals (CAJ) offered through the Full-text Database (CNKI) were searched for relevant studies published from the inception of the databases to April 2019. Of the 364 articles that were identified, 14 met the criteria for inclusion in this review. The synthesis of the findings in the included studies revealed that forest bathing interventions were effective at reducing blood pressure, lowering pulse rate, increasing the power of heart rate variability (HRV), improving cardiac-pulmonary parameters, and metabolic function, inducing a positive mood, reducing anxiety levels, and improving the quality of life of pre-hypertensive or hypertensive participants. Forest walking and forest therapy programs were the two most effective forest bathing interventions. Studies reported that practicing a single forest walking or forest therapy program can produce short-term physiological and psychological benefits. It is concluded that forest bathing, particularly forest walking and therapy, has physiologically and psychologically relaxing effects on middle-aged and elderly people with pre-hypertension and hypertension.

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Medical empirical research on forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku): a systematic review

Cited by 168 publications

References 58 publications

The Relevance of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Review of the Literature

The Relevance of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Review of the Literature

Outdoor recreational activity experiences improve psychological wellbeing of military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Positive findings from a pilot study and a randomised controlled trial

Effects of forest bathing on pre-hypertensive and hypertensive adults: a review of the literature

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