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Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Forest Therapy Program on Middle-Aged Females

Author

Listed:
  • Hiroko Ochiai

    (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Harumi Ikei

    (Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
    Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Chorong Song

    (Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Maiko Kobayashi

    (Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan)

  • Takashi Miura

    (Agematsu Town Office Industry & Tourism Department, Nagano 399-5601, Japan)

  • Takahide Kagawa

    (Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan)

  • Qing Li

    (Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan)

  • Shigeyoshi Kumeda

    (Nagano Prefectural Kiso Hospital, Nagano 397-8555, Japan)

  • Michiko Imai

    (Le Verseau Inc., Tokyo 156-0051, Japan)

  • Yoshifumi Miyazaki

    (Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 277-0882, Japan)

Abstract

The natural environment is increasingly recognized as an effective counter to urban stress, and “Forest Therapy” has recently attracted attention as a relaxation and stress management activity with demonstrated clinical efficacy. The present study assessed the physiological and psychological effects of a forest therapy program on middle-aged females. Seventeen Japanese females (62.2 ± 9.4 years; mean ± standard deviation) participated in this experiment. Pulse rate, salivary cortisol level, and psychological indices were measured on the day before forest therapy and on the forest therapy day. Pulse rate and salivary cortisol were significantly lower than baseline following forest therapy, indicating that subjects were in a physiologically relaxed state. Subjects reported feeling significantly more “comfortable,” “relaxed,” and “natural” according to the semantic differential (SD) method. The Profile of Mood State (POMS) negative mood subscale score for “tension–anxiety” was significantly lower, while that for “vigor” was significantly higher following forest therapy. Our study revealed that forest therapy elicited a significant (1) decrease in pulse rate, (2) decrease in salivary cortisol levels, (3) increase in positive feelings, and (4) decrease in negative feelings. In conclusion, there are substantial physiological and psychological benefits of forest therapy on middle-aged females.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Forest Therapy Program on Middle-Aged Females," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:12:p:14984-15232:d:59728
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Elucidation of a Physiological Adjustment Effect in a Forest Environment: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-9, April.
    2. Norimasa Takayama & Kalevi Korpela & Juyoung Lee & Takeshi Morikawa & Yuko Tsunetsugu & Bum-Jin Park & Qing Li & Liisa Tyrväinen & Yoshifumi Miyazaki & Takahide Kagawa, 2014. "Emotional, Restorative and Vitalizing Effects of Forest and Urban Environments at Four Sites in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Maiko Kobayashi & Takashi Miura & Masao Taue & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Effect of Forest Walking on Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Middle-Aged Hypertensive Individuals: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, March.
    4. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Ako Takamatsu & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy on Middle-Aged Males with High-Normal Blood Pressure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, February.
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