Effects of Forest Bathing in Vancouver, B.C. Parks

University of British Columbia

Status: Completed

Conditions: Environmental Exposure; Mental Health Wellness 1; Nature, Human; Anxiety; Stress, Psychological; Blood Pressure

Treatments: Behavioral: Self-Guided Forest Bathing; Behavioral: Guided Forest Bathing

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05502588

H22-00216

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to investigate environmental factors that influence people's responses to the Japanese practice of forest bathing in Vancouver, B.C. parks.

Full description

The primary research aim is to investigate the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in a sample of Vancouver, B.C. forested parks and specific health-related outcomes after forest bathing interventions. Forest bathing programs are a promising therapeutic method for enhancing heart rate and blood pressure functions and an effective psychological relaxation strategy. This study will investigate changes in autonomic nervous system activity and mood states after a 60-90 minute forest bathing program in four Vancouver, B.C. parks. Approximately 100 adult participants will be recruited for the study and participate in four sessions over one year. Physiological responses, pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and psychological indices will be measured before and after each session.

The health effects of forest-based interventions will vary due to environmental factors such as weather, temperature, humidity, light, and participants' psychological and physiological states. We are taking measurements pre- and post-treatment to detect any change in response during each session and seasonally.

Primary endpoint is to determine if the guided walk provides greater enhanced heart rate and blood pressure functions and an effective psychological relaxation strategy over the self-guided walk.

Secondary endpoints: 1) to determine if participants living in neighborhoods with below average street trees receive greater benefits than participants that live in neighborhoods with average or above average street trees, 2) assess changes within the same individuals over time 3) if there are different outcomes seasonally 4) if there are different outcomes between study sites.

Enrollment: 198 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 19+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults (19+) that are residents of Vancouver, B.C.
• Spend time on a trail in a Vancouver park for at least 60 minutes per month
• Willing to refrain from tobacco products, alcohol, caffeine, marijuana, and psilocybin for at least two hours prior to arriving at the study site and during the forest bathing sessions

Exclusion criteria

• Must be able to move along a barrier-free trail independently
• Non-residents (e.g. tourists)
• Children (under 19 years of age)
• Participants with pets

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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198 participants in 2 patient groups

Self-Guided Forest Bathing

Active Comparator group

Description:

Forest Bathing intervention without a guide and basic navigational instructions, explanation of forest bathing, and time to return.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Self-Guided Forest Bathing

Guided Forest Bathing

Experimental group

Description:

Forest Bathing intervention led by a certified Forest Therapy guide.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Guided Forest Bathing