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The Salutary Influence of Forest Bathing on Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Author

Listed:
  • Genxiang Mao

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

  • Yongbao Cao

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

  • Bozhong Wang

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

  • Sanying Wang

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

  • Zhuomei Chen

    (Zhejiang Forestry Academy, Hangzhou 310023, China)

  • Jirong Wang

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

  • Wenmin Xing

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

  • Xiaoxu Ren

    (Hangzhou Forestry Academy, Hangzhou 310022, China)

  • Xiaoling Lv

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

  • Jianhua Dong

    (Hangzhou Forestry Academy, Hangzhou 310022, China)

  • Shasha Chen

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

  • Xiuyuan Chen

    (Forestry Bureau of Pan’an County, Jinhua 322300, China)

  • Guofu Wang

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

  • Jing Yan

    (Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics & Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Hospital, No.12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou 310013, China)

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that forest bathing would be beneficial for elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) as an adjunctive therapy. Two groups of participants with CHF were simultaneously sent to the forest or an urban control area for a four-day trip, respectively. Subjects exposed to the forest site showed a significant reduction of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in comparison to that of the city group and their own baseline levels. The values for the cardiovascular disease related pathological factors, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), and constituents of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), including renin, angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II (ANGII), and ANGII receptor type 1 or 2 (AT1 or AT2) in subjects exposed to the forest environment were lower than those in the urban control group. Obviously, a decreased level of inflammatory cytokines and improved antioxidant function was observed in the forest group rather than in the city group. The assessment of the profile of mood states (POMS) indicated that the negative emotional mood state was alleviated after forest bathing. As anticipated, a better air quality in the forest site was observed according to the detection of PM 2.5 (particulate matter <2.5 μm) and negative ions. These results provided direct evidence that forest bathing has a beneficial effect on CHF patients, and thus may pave the way for potential development of forest bathing as an effective adjunctive therapy on cardiovascular disorders.

Suggested Citation

  • Genxiang Mao & Yongbao Cao & Bozhong Wang & Sanying Wang & Zhuomei Chen & Jirong Wang & Wenmin Xing & Xiaoxu Ren & Xiaoling Lv & Jianhua Dong & Shasha Chen & Xiuyuan Chen & Guofu Wang & Jing Yan, 2017. "The Salutary Influence of Forest Bathing on Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:4:p:368-:d:94610
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yunjeong Yi & Eunju Seo & Jiyeon An, 2022. "Does Forest Therapy Have Physio-Psychological Benefits? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-21, August.
    2. Katja Oomen-Welke & Evelyn Schlachter & Tina Hilbich & Johannes Naumann & Alexander Müller & Thilo Hinterberger & Roman Huber, 2022. "Spending Time in the Forest or the Field: Investigations on Stress Perception and Psychological Well-Being—A Randomized Cross-Over Trial in Highly Sensitive Persons," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Albert Bach Pagès & Josep Peñuelas & Jana Clarà & Joan Llusià & Ferran Campillo i López & Roser Maneja, 2020. "How Should Forests Be Characterized in Regard to Human Health? Evidence from Existing Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Agnes Peterfalvi & Matyas Meggyes & Lilla Makszin & Nelli Farkas & Eva Miko & Attila Miseta & Laszlo Szereday, 2021. "Forest Bathing Always Makes Sense: Blood Pressure-Lowering and Immune System-Balancing Effects in Late Spring and Winter in Central Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Liisa Andersen & Sus Sola Corazon & Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, 2021. "Nature Exposure and Its Effects on Immune System Functioning: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-48, February.
    6. Kwang-Hi Park, 2022. "Analysis of Urban Forest Healing Program Expected Values, Needs, and Preferred Components in Urban Forest Visitors with Diseases: A Pilot Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-14, January.
    7. Christina Pichler & Johanna Freidl & Michael Bischof & Martin Kiem & Renate Weisböck-Erdheim & Daniela Huber & Gabriella Squarra & Paul Clemens Murschetz & Arnulf Hartl, 2022. "Mountain Hiking vs. Forest Therapy: A Study Protocol of Novel Types of Nature-Based Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, March.
    8. Eleanor M. Taylor & Noelle Robertson & Courtney J. Lightfoot & Alice C. Smith & Ceri R. Jones, 2022. "Nature-Based Interventions for Psychological Wellbeing in Long-Term Conditions: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-23, March.
    9. Jiyune Yi & Boncho Ku & Seul Gee Kim & Taegyu Khil & Youngsuwn Lim & Minja Shin & Sookja Jeon & Jingun Kim & Byunghoon Kang & Jongyeon Shin & Kahye Kim & Ah Young Jeong & Jeong Hwan Park & Jungmi Choi, 2019. "Traditional Korean Medicine-Based Forest Therapy Programs Providing Electrophysiological Benefits for Elderly Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-20, November.
    10. Jiyune Yi & Seul Gee Kim & Taegyu Khil & Minja Shin & Jin-Hee You & Sookja Jeon & Gue Hong Park & Ah Young Jeong & Youngsuwn Lim & Kahye Kim & Jingun Kim & Byunghoon Kang & Jueun Lee & Jeong Hwan Park, 2021. "Psycho-Electrophysiological Benefits of Forest Therapies Focused on Qigong and Walking with Elderly Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-16, March.
    11. Sujin Park & Eunsoo Kim & Geonwoo Kim & Soojin Kim & Yeji Choi & Domyung Paek, 2022. "What Activities in Forests Are Beneficial for Human Health? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-29, February.
    12. Ruslan Gunko & Lauri Rapeli & Patrik Karell, 2022. "Striving with Global Stress on a Local Level: Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the Relationship between People and Nature?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-14, August.
    13. Kheng Siang Ted Ng & Angelia Sia & Maxel K. W. Ng & Crystal T. Y. Tan & Hui Yu Chan & Chay Hoon Tan & Iris Rawtaer & Lei Feng & Rathi Mahendran & Anis Larbi & Ee Heok Kua & Roger C. M. Ho, 2018. "Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Asian Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-14, August.

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