Forest Therapy and Mindfulness for Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP-FOREST)

IFM International Forest Medicine

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stress (Psychology); Mindfulness; Complementary Therapies; Mind-Body Therapies; Preventive Medicine; Well-Being, Psychological

Treatments: Behavioral: Forest Therapy + Mindfulness + Psychotherapy; Behavioral: Behavioral: Indoor Sensory Control (Art and Aromatherapy)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07368231

HSP-FOREST-2025-RTC-C

HSP-FOREST-2025-C (Registry Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized, multicenter interventional study evaluates a combined forest therapy (shinrin-yoku) and mindfulness-based program in adults with high sensory-processing sensitivity confirmed using a validated instrument. Participants are randomized (1:1) to either a forest-based intervention or an active indoor sensory control condition. The intervention is delivered over approximately 22 weeks according to a predefined protocol, with assessments conducted at baseline and at the end of the intervention.

Full description

This is a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group interventional study in adults with high sensory-processing sensitivity confirmed using a validated instrument. Participants are randomized 1:1 to one of two study arms at study entry and remain in their assigned group for the duration of the study.

Intervention delivery is standardized across participating sites through facilitator training and a predefined session manual. The experimental arm consists of structured sessions conducted in forest environments and includes guided walking, mindfulness-based practices, and structured sensory awareness activities, with facilitated group reflection. The active comparator arm consists of structured indoor group activities designed to match the experimental arm in duration, group interaction, and facilitator contact, without exposure to forest or outdoor natural environments.

Study procedures and assessment schedules are predefined in the protocol and implemented in accordance with applicable ethical requirements and Good Clinical Practice guidelines.

Enrollment: 310 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 to 65 years
• High sensory-processing sensitivity confirmed using a validated instrument (e.g., HSPS/Aron scale)
• Able to perform moderate physical activity (e.g., walking)
• Able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Severe psychiatric disorder or acute clinical instability
• Medical condition contraindicating moderate physical activity
• Use of medications with strong autonomic or neuroendocrine effects (e.g., high-dose systemic corticosteroids; selected beta-blockers)
• Recent participation in a structured mindfulness or forest-therapy program
• Pregnancy or unstable medical condition

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

310 participants in 2 patient groups

Forest Therapy + Mindfulness + Psychotherapy

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will undergo an approximately 22-week program with 4.5 hours weekly in forest settings. Sessions include a guided forest walk, mindfulness meditation, structured sensory awareness exercises, facilitated group reflection, and a brief psychotherapeutic component focused on emotional processing and cognitive regulation. Intervention delivery is standardized through facilitator training and a predefined session manual.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Forest Therapy + Mindfulness + Psychotherapy

Indoor Sensory Control (Art and Aromatherapy)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Structured indoor sensory-based group sessions delivered weekly over approximately 22 weeks. Sessions are designed to match the experimental intervention in duration, structure, facilitator contact, and social interaction, without exposure to forest or outdoor natural environments. Activities include creative tasks, guided aromatherapy, sensory-focused exercises, and facilitated group discussion according to a predefined protocol.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Behavioral: Indoor Sensory Control (Art and Aromatherapy)