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The Feasibility and Impact of Practising Online Forest Bathing to Improve Anxiety, Rumination, Social Connection and Long-COVID Symptoms: A Pilot Study

Author

Listed:
  • Kirsten McEwan

    (College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, UK)

  • Harriet Collett

    (Kindred Soil, Bristol BS6 5BP, UK)

  • Jean Nairn

    (Woodlands Breathing, Edinburgh EH27 8BW, UK)

  • Jamie Bird

    (College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, UK)

  • Mark A. Faghy

    (Biomedical Research Theme, School of Human Sciences, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
    Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (HL–PIVOT) Network, Chicago, IL 60612, USA)

  • Eric Pfeifer

    (Catholic University of Applied Sciences, Karlstr. 63, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
    Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud University Vienna, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

  • Jessica E. Jackson

    (College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, UK)

  • Caroline Cook

    (Well with Nature, Dronfield, Derbyshire S18 4AX, UK)

  • Amanda Bond

    (Wild Edgewalker Forest Therapy, Jersey JE3 8AF, UK)

Abstract

Background: Long-COVID affects over 144 million people globally. In the absence of treatments, there is a need to establish the efficacy of therapies that improve patient outcomes. Forest bathing has been demonstrated to improve physical and mental outcomes but there is no evidence in Long-COVID patients. Accordingly, this pilot study sought to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of online forest bathing in adults with Long-COVID. Methods: Feasibility was assessed by monitoring retention rates and participant feedback. In a waitlist controlled, repeated measures design, 22 Long-COVID patients completed weekly online surveys during a four-week waitlist control period, before engaging in four weekly online forest bathing sessions, completing post-intervention surveys following each session. Results: In terms of retention, 27% did not provide post-intervention data, reasons for non-adherence were: feeling too ill, having medical appointments, or having career responsibilities. Compared with the waitlist control period, there were statistically significant improvements in Anxiety (49% decrease), Rumination (48% decrease), Social Connection (78% increase), and Long-COVID symptoms (22% decrease). Written qualitative comments indicated that participants experienced feelings of calm and joy, felt more connected socially and with nature, and experienced a break from the pain and rumination surrounding their illness. Conclusions: Online Forest bathing resulted in significant improvements in well-being and symptom severity and could be considered an accessible and inexpensive adjunct therapy for Long-COVID patients. Where people have limited access to in-person nature, virtual nature may offer an alternative to improve health and well-being outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kirsten McEwan & Harriet Collett & Jean Nairn & Jamie Bird & Mark A. Faghy & Eric Pfeifer & Jessica E. Jackson & Caroline Cook & Amanda Bond, 2022. "The Feasibility and Impact of Practising Online Forest Bathing to Improve Anxiety, Rumination, Social Connection and Long-COVID Symptoms: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:14905-:d:970932
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    References listed on IDEAS

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