Effects of Forest Therapy on Physical and Psychological Parameters in the General Population - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Charite University, Berlin, Germany120 enrolled

Overview

In recent years, nature and forest therapy has increasingly become the focus of medical research. Recent scientific findings indicate overall positive effects of nature and forest therapy on physical and mental health. In Asia and Australia, it has already been implemented as a public health concept of prevention and health promotion. The aim of the project is to replicate the experience gained in Asia over the last three decades on the physical and psychological effects of nature/forest therapy in the context of the German forest and to investigate it further scientifically.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

120

Conditions

General Population (no Specific Condition or Disease)

Interventions

Participants take part in a two-hour active clinical forest therapy in Berlin-Wannsee on two days (with a break day in between). In this setting, a trained clinical forest therapist teaches exercises on the perception of nature and the connection between nature and health.

Passive forest therapyBEHAVIORAL

Participants take part in a two-hour passive clinical forest therapy in Berlin-Wannsee over two days (with a break day in between). In this setting, a trained clinical forest therapist will guide participants to various locations in the forest where participants can stay and let nature have its effect on them.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 90 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: \- Ability to Consent Exclusion Criteria: * Serious acute or chronic illness * Immobility or limitation of mobility due to orthopedic, neurologic, or other medical causes * Participation in another study * Serious mental illness * Pregnancy and lactation.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Profile of Mood States (POMS)

Time frame: Change from baseline POMS score at 3 months