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Kang MJ, Kim HS, Kim JY. Development and effects of a non-face-to-face forest therapy program for nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jpn J Nurs Sci 2024; 21:e12566. [PMID: 37919044 DOI: 10.1111/jjns.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM In this study, we developed a non-face-to-face forest therapy program using videos and applied it to nurses working in hospitals during the prolonged COVID-19 situation to confirm the effect on their mental health. METHOD This study was a randomized control group pretest-posttest, and 27 clinical nurses in the experimental group and 28 clinical nurses in the control group participated. The program developed forest therapy videos and three city videos each. The experimental group watched the forest therapy video and the control group watched the city video and stress and happiness were measured through pre-test and post-test. RESULTS The stress level of clinical nurses who applied the non-face-to-face forest therapy program had a significant reduction effect compared to the control group on day 2 (t = -2.239 P = .026) and day 3 (t = -3.188, P = .003). On the other hand, there was no significant effect in happiness in both groups. In addition, repeated measures analysis of variance statistical analysis confirmed that the stress level of the experimental group significantly decreased over time (F = 10.578, P < .001). CONCLUSION The non-face-to-face forest therapy program is significant in that it had a positive effect on relieving stress by conducting a randomized controlled study targeting clinical nurses working in various hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Jung Kang
- College of Nursing, Eulji University, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Sun Kim
- College of Nursing, Eulji University, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yeon Kim
- College of Nursing, Eulji University, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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Park J, Wang SM, Kang DW, Lee B, Choi H. Effect of Anti-Aging Standard Forest Healing Program With Multiple Visits to a Forest Facility on Cognition in Older Age Patients. Dement Neurocogn Disord 2024; 23:44-53. [PMID: 38362051 PMCID: PMC10864698 DOI: 10.12779/dnd.2024.23.1.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose The anti-aging standard forest healing program (ASFHP), which uses forest therapy, was reported to be effective in improving psychological, physical, and cognitive functions. However, there are several challenges to directly visiting the forest. This study aimed to investigate the impact of multi-session ASFHP with forest visit on the mental and physical health of the older people with visits to forest facilities and compared them with those of the same program conducted indoors. Methods Individuals aged over 70 years with concerns about cognitive decline were recruited at dementia relief centers and divided into control and experimental groups. A total of 33 people were administered ASFHP under the supervision of a forest therapy instructor. The control group stayed indoors, while the experimental group visited a forest healing center and repeated the program 20 weeks. Results The multiple-session ASFHP positively affected cognitive impairment screening test (CIST) total scores (p=0.002), memory (p=0.014), Korean version of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status total scores (p<0.001), immediate recall (p=0.001), visuospatial/construction (p<0.001), language (p<0.001), forest healing standard questionnaire total scores (p=0.002), and cognitive function (p=0.019), regardless of location. The forest visits during the ASFHP showed positive effects on orientation (p=0.035), delayed recall (p=0.042), emotional stability (p=0.032), physical activity (p=0.005), and health (p=0.022). The CIST scores of the memory domain were the strongest indicator of the multiple-session ASFHP effects. Conclusions The 20-week multi-session ASFHP with forest visit showed effects on cognitive improvement and physical and emotional stability compared to indoor education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinseok Park
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Society for Cognitive Intervention, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sheng-Min Wang
- Society for Cognitive Intervention, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Woo Kang
- Society for Cognitive Intervention, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Beom Lee
- Forest Welfare Research Center, Korea Forest Welfare Institute, Yeongju, Korea
| | - Hojin Choi
- Society for Cognitive Intervention, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Korea
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Barrett B, Walters S, Checovich MM, Grabow ML, Middlecamp C, Wortzel B, Tetrault K, Riordan KM, Goldberg S. Mindful Eco-Wellness: Steps Toward Personal and Planetary Health. GLOBAL ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND HEALTH 2024; 13:27536130241235922. [PMID: 38410151 PMCID: PMC10896055 DOI: 10.1177/27536130241235922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Rising greenhouse gas levels heat the earth's surface and alter climate patterns, posing unprecedented threats to planetary ecology and human health. At the same time, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease have reached epidemic proportions across the globe, caused in part by decreases in physical activity and by over-consumption of carbon-intensive foods. Thus, interventions that support active transportation (walking or cycling rather than driving) and healthier food choices (eating plant-based rather than meat-based diets) would yield health and sustainability "co-benefits." Emerging research suggests that mindfulness-based practices might be effective means toward these ends. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we have developed a mindfulness-based group program, Mindful Eco-Wellness: Steps Toward Healthier Living. Loosely based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course, our curriculum teaches mindfulness practices in tandem with sustainability principles, following weekly themes of Air, Water, Food, Energy, Transportation, Consumption, Nature Experience, and Ethics. For example, the "Air" class offers participants practice in guided breath meditations while they learn about the benefits of clean air. The theme of "Food" is presented through mindful eating, accompanied by educational videos highlighting the consequences of food production and consumption. "Transportation" includes walking/movement meditations and highlights the health benefits of physical activity and detriments of fossil-fueled transportation. Pedagogical lessons on energy, ecological sustainability, and the ethics of planetary health are intertwined with mindful nature experience and metta (loving-kindness) meditation. Curricular materials, including teaching videos, are freely available online. Pilot testing in community settings (n = 30) and in group medical visits (n = 34) has demonstrated feasibility; pilot data suggests potential effectiveness. Rigorous evaluation and testing are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Barrett
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sarah Walters
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mary M. Checovich
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Maggie L. Grabow
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Cathy Middlecamp
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Beth Wortzel
- Harmonia Center for Psychotherapy, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kaitlin Tetrault
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kevin M. Riordan
- Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Simon Goldberg
- Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Yeon PS, Kang SN, Lee NE, Kim IO, Min GM, Kim GY, Kim JG, Shin WS. Benefits of Urban Forest Healing Program on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Depressive Patients. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2766. [PMID: 37893840 PMCID: PMC10606414 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11202766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is considered a widespread mental health problem worldwide. Moreover, anxiety symptoms are very closely related to depression in patients, and it is known that the coexistence rate of depression and anxiety diagnosed simultaneously is high. Treatment and preventive management of depression and anxiety are essential for public health. Forest healing is attracting attention as a form of low-cost preventive medicine that is safe and has no side effects. However, although the physiological and psychological effects have been scientifically proven, it is insufficient to reveal a direct relationship between forest healing and depression. This study investigated the benefits of an urban forest healing program on depression and anxiety symptoms in depressive disorders. We employed a randomized controlled trial design. Forty-seven depressive patients were randomly divided into an urban forest healing program group and a control group. Measures included the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires. Our results revealed that the combination of general treatment and forest healing programs for patients with depression is more effective in improving depression and anxiety than routine treatment alone. We expect our work to serve as a starting point for more sophisticated research discussing the availability of non-pharmacological treatments in forest healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poung-Sik Yeon
- Department of Forest Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea;
| | - Si-Nae Kang
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - Nee-Eun Lee
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - In-Ok Kim
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - Gyeong-Min Min
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - Ga-Yeon Kim
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.-N.K.); (N.-E.L.); (I.-O.K.); (G.-M.M.); (G.-Y.K.)
| | - Jin-Gun Kim
- Korea Forest Therapy Forum Incorporated Association, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Sop Shin
- Department of Forest Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea;
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Yeon PS, Kim IO, Kang SN, Lee NE, Kim GY, Min GM, Chung CY, Lee JS, Kim JG, Shin WS. Effects of Urban Forest Therapy Program on Depression Patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:507. [PMID: 36612825 PMCID: PMC9819035 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a common serious mental health condition that can have negative personal and social consequences, and managing it is critical for treating depression patients. Forest therapy is emerging as a promising non-pharmacological intervention to improve mental health. However, although the effectiveness of forest therapy programs using forests far from the city has been proven, it is not well known that urban forests can be easily accessed in daily life. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of an urban forest therapy program on depression symptoms, sleep quality, and somatization symptoms of depression patients. To evaluate this, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design was employed. A total of 47 depression patients participated in this study (22 in the urban forest therapy program group and 25 in the control group). The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) were administered to each participant to assess the effects of the urban forest therapy program. The results of this study revealed that depression patients in the urban forest therapy program had significantly alleviated depression symptoms and improved sleep quality and somatization symptoms compared to the control group. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the possibility that the urban forest therapy program could be used as an effective non-pharmacological treatment to alleviate depression disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poung-Sik Yeon
- Department of Forest Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Ok Kim
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Si-Nae Kang
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Nee-Eun Lee
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Ga-Yeon Kim
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong-Min Min
- Graduated Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung-Yeub Chung
- Gwanghwamun Forest Psychiatric Clinic, Seoul 03156, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Sok Lee
- Gwanghwamun Forest Psychiatric Clinic, Seoul 03156, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Gun Kim
- Korea Forest Therapy Forum Incorporated Association, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Sop Shin
- Department of Forest Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
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Bermejo-Martins E, Pueyo-Garrigues M, Casas M, Bermejo-Orduna R, Villarroya A. A Forest Bathing Intervention in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Feasibility Study Protocol. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13589. [PMID: 36294168 PMCID: PMC9603293 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Forest bathing practices benefit individuals' physical and mental health. A growing number of published studies provide evidence of such effects in diverse populations and contexts. However, no literature has been found that evaluates the effects of forest bathing on people with intellectual disabilities. In this paper, we present a quasi-experimental pre-post protocol for assessing the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of a forest bathing intervention in a group of adults with intellectual disability. An 11-weekly session program will be applied in the forests of the Ollo Valley, Navarre (Spain). The preliminary efficacy outcomes will be blood pressure, psycho-physiological coherence parameters and quality of life. The feasibility of the intervention will be assessed through data on barriers and facilitators of the implementation process and indicators of environmental comfort (physiological equivalent temperature and thermic perception). This study offers an opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to benefit from a forest bathing intervention and explore its effects not only on their quality of life, but also on the improvement in their physiological and psychological state. This feasibility study is an essential step to explore crucial aspects for a future full-scale trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bermejo-Martins
- Department of Community, Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Navarra, Campus Universitario, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Pueyo-Garrigues
- Department of Community, Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Navarra, Campus Universitario, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Casas
- Department of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Navarra, Campus Universitario, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
- Grupo de Humanidades Ambientales, BIOMA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Raúl Bermejo-Orduna
- Department of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Navarra, Campus Universitario, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
- Grupo de Humanidades Ambientales, BIOMA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Villarroya
- Department of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Navarra, Campus Universitario, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
- Grupo de Humanidades Ambientales, BIOMA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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