The investigators intend to evaluate patients aged 18 to 99 years with symptoms of anxiety and/or mild depression. A randomized controlled clinical trial will be carried out to evaluate the impact of the guided practice of forest bathing.
The practice of Shinrin-Yoku, also known as Forest Bathing, is an outdoor therapeutic modality with growing evidence suggesting positive effects on the psychological well-being and general health of individuals. However, its benefits have been studied mainly in Asian countries, needing further research to assess whether its benefits are also generalizable to other European-Mediterranean regions. To explore this question, the investigators intend to evaluate patients aged 18 to 99 years with symptoms of anxiety and/or mild depression. A randomized controlled clinical trial will be carried out to evaluate the impact of the guided practice of forest bathing. The participants will be randomly distributed in two arms, with a crossover design: arm A intervention + control; arm B control + intervention. Participation in this study consists of the execution of two sessions of guided forest bathing practice, and the completion of online evaluation forms before and after each session of guided forest bathing practice, for 24 hours afterwards, as well as before and after the program as a whole. The study includes clinical assessments, emotional well-being, social support and other complementary indicators. For hypothesis testing, a linear model of univariate analysis of variance intrasubject design will be applied to the dependent variables, with three phase conditions (pre, post and follow-up) and two treatment conditions (intervention vs. control).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
50
The forest bath sessions will be led by a specialized guide and will be conceived as a silent walk of about 3 km along a path and forest track with an average gradient of 3%, with three 10-minute stops (at the beginning, in the middle and at the end) to practice deep breathing and awareness of the 5 senses.
Coloma Moreno Quiroga
Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
RECRUITINGChange in Anxiety scores
Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7).
Time frame: Pre-intervention, intrasession, intersession, post-intervention and follo-up evaluations are planned for 1 month. The assessments will be carried out before and after the intervention with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.
Change in Depression scores
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).
Time frame: Pre-intervention, intrasession, intersession, post-intervention and follo-up evaluations are planned for 1 month. The assessments will be carried out before and after the intervention with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.
Change in Well-Being scores
Emotional Well-Being Scale
Time frame: Pre-intervention, intrasession, intersession, post-intervention and follo-up evaluations are planned for 1 month. The assessments will be carried out before and after the intervention with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.
Change in Social support scores
OSLO Scale 3
Time frame: Pre-intervention, intrasession, intersession, post-intervention and follo-up evaluations are planned for 1 month. The assessments will be carried out before and after the intervention with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.
Change in State Mindfulness scores
State Mindfulness Scale (SMS)
Time frame: Pre-intervention, intrasession, intersession, post-intervention and follo-up evaluations are planned for 1 month. The assessments will be carried out before and after the intervention with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.
Change in Affect scores
Positive and Negative Affect Checklist (PANAS-SF).
Time frame: Pre-intervention, intrasession, intersession, post-intervention and follo-up evaluations are planned for 1 month. The assessments will be carried out before and after the intervention with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Change in Mood scores
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
Time frame: Pre-intervention, intrasession, intersession, post-intervention and follo-up evaluations are planned for 1 month. The assessments will be carried out before and after the intervention with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.
Change in Stress scores
Ad hoc perceived stress item
Time frame: Pre-intervention, intrasession, intersession, post-intervention and follo-up evaluations are planned for 1 month. The assessments will be carried out before and after the intervention with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.
Change in Affective variables scores
Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM)
Time frame: Pre-intervention, intrasession, intersession, post-intervention and follo-up evaluations are planned for 1 month. The assessments will be carried out before and after the intervention with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.