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The Effects of Forest Therapy on Immune Function

Author

Listed:
  • Youngran Chae

    (College of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea)

  • Sunhee Lee

    (Department of Nursing, Yeoju Institute of Technology, Yeoju-si 12653, Korea)

  • Youngmi Jo

    (Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon 24289, Korea)

  • Soyean Kang

    (Department of Nursing, Daewon University College, Jecheon 27135, Korea)

  • Suyoun Park

    (Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea)

  • Hyoyoung Kang

    (Department of Nursing, Songho College, Heongseong 25242, Korea)

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of the effects of a forest therapy program on adults’ immune function. We used PICO-SD (participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, study design) to identify key items. The participants were adults over the age of 18 and the intervention was forest therapy. Our comparisons included studies that comparatively analyzed urban groups or groups that did not participate in forest therapy intervention. Cases without control groups were also included. Immunological outcome measures were included in measuring intervention outcomes. All experimental studies, such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-equivalent control group designs (non-RCTs), and one-group pretest-posttest design were included in the study design. A total of 13 studies were included for comparison. Forest therapy programs were divided into lodging-type and session-type programs. The representative measures for evaluating the effects of immune function were the number of NK cells, the cytotoxic activity of NK cells, and cytotoxic effector molecules. Most studies reported improvement in these measures when comparing values after intervention with values before the forest therapy intervention. Therefore, forest therapy has been found to be effective in improving immune function. More RCT studies on the effects of forest therapy on immune function are necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Youngran Chae & Sunhee Lee & Youngmi Jo & Soyean Kang & Suyoun Park & Hyoyoung Kang, 2021. "The Effects of Forest Therapy on Immune Function," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8440-:d:611695
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Insook Lee & Heeseung Choi & Kyung-Sook Bang & Sungjae Kim & MinKyung Song & Buhyun Lee, 2017. "Effects of Forest Therapy on Depressive Symptoms among Adults: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2016. "Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Jin-Woo Han & Han Choi & Yo-Han Jeon & Chong-Hyeon Yoon & Jong-Min Woo & Won Kim, 2016. "The Effects of Forest Therapy on Coping with Chronic Widespread Pain: Physiological and Psychological Differences between Participants in a Forest Therapy Program and a Control Group," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-13, February.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Emad Alyan & Theo Combe & Dayang Rohaya Awang Rambli & Suziah Sulaiman & Frederic Merienne & Nadia Diyana Mohd Muhaiyuddin, 2021. "The Influence of Virtual Forest Walk on Physiological and Psychological Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    4. Davide Donelli & Francesco Meneguzzo & Michele Antonelli & Diego Ardissino & Giampaolo Niccoli & Giorgio Gronchi & Rita Baraldi & Luisa Neri & Federica Zabini, 2023. "Effects of Plant-Emitted Monoterpenes on Anxiety Symptoms: A Propensity-Matched Observational Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Viola Benedetti & Gioele Gavazzi & Fiorenza Giganti & Elio Carlo & Francesco Riccardo Becheri & Federica Zabini & Fabio Giovannelli & Maria Pia Viggiano, 2023. "Virtual Forest Environment Influences Inhibitory Control," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, July.

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