Researchers from the Parc Taulí Primary Care and the Stress and Health Research Group (GIES) of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), together with technicians from the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac have presented the preliminary results of a study within the NAT project (Nature Activity Therapies), on the effect of forest bathing on the emotional health of people with subclinical symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The study was carried out during the months of February to June 2023, with a group of 46 people aged 18 to 75 with mild symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Two groups were made randomly and with a cross-over design, where the participant was part of the intervention and control group. The intervention consisted of two guided practice sessions of forest bathing in the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac with guided meditations and walks in silence with full awareness (mindful walking) among the trees on a circular route of 4km and 2 hours long, without much elevation gain.
The people who participated had to fill out evaluation forms before and after each session, during the following 24 hours; as well as before and after the whole program. The control assessments were carried out in the daily context of the person, in the absence of any intervention at the time of the assessment.
During the study, clinical assessments were made of emotional well-being, mindfulness of body-mind, positive-negative affectivity, stress, social support, fatigue and functional capacity.
The preliminary results of this study show an immediate impact of forest bathing with a reduction in stress, anxiety and negative affectivity and an increase in full awareness of thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations; as well as the experience of pleasant emotions (joy, pride, enthusiasm, energy...) and increased interaction with other people and perception of life's challenges in an adaptive way.
This study is the continuation of two previous ones from the GIES of the UAB, focused on the psychological effects of forest bathing and on the comparison between forest bathing and low-medium intensity hiking. These pilot experiences are part of the design of the future Strategic Plan for Health, Welfare and Nature of the Management of Natural Areas Services.
This clinical trial has a possible continuation with the purpose of studying the duration of the effects of the practice of forest bathing, to determine if the benefits have an impact on daily life and if the repetition of this activity can produce cumulative effects.
Forest baths
Forest bathing is an outdoor therapeutic modality with evidence suggesting positive effects on people's psychological well-being and general health.
Its benefits have been studied mainly in Asian countries, and research is now being done to assess whether the benefits are also generalizable to other European-Mediterranean regions.
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