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Short-Term Effects of Forest Therapy on Mood States: A Pilot Study

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Meneguzzo

    (Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
    Italian Alpine Club, 19 Via E. Petrella, I-20124 Milano, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Albanese

    (Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy)

  • Michele Antonelli

    (Local Public Health Authority, AUSL- IRCCS, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Rita Baraldi

    (Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 101 Via Gobetti, I-40129 Bologna, Italy)

  • Francesco Riccardo Becheri

    (Pian dei Termini Forest Therapy Station, 2311 Via Pratorsi, I-51028 San Marcello Piteglio, Italy)

  • Francesco Centritto

    (“Cesare Alfieri” Political Science School, University of Florence, 60 Via Vittorio Locchi, I-50141 Firenze, Italy)

  • Davide Donelli

    (Local Public Health Authority, AUSL- IRCCS, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Franco Finelli

    (Italian Alpine Club, 19 Via E. Petrella, I-20124 Milano, Italy)

  • Fabio Firenzuoli

    (CERFIT, Careggi University Hospital, I-50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Giovanni Margheritini

    (Italian Alpine Club, 19 Via E. Petrella, I-20124 Milano, Italy)

  • Valentina Maggini

    (CERFIT, Careggi University Hospital, I-50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Sara Nardini

    (A.M.I.S.I. Italian Medical Association for the Study of Hypnosis, 28 Via Paisiello, I-20131 Milano, Italy)

  • Marta Regina

    (Mindfulness Association UK, Edinburgh EH9 1AR, UK)

  • Federica Zabini

    (Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy)

  • Luisa Neri

    (Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 101 Via Gobetti, I-40129 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Immersion in forest environments was shown to produce beneficial effects to human health, in particular psychophysical relaxation, leading to its growing recognition as a form of integrative medicine. However, limited evidence exists about the statistical significance of the effects and their association with external and environmental variables and personal characteristics. This experimental study aimed to substantiate the very concept of forest therapy by means of the analysis of the significance of its effects on the mood states of anxiety, depression, anger and confusion. Seven forest therapy sessions were performed in remote areas and a control one in an urban park, with participants allowed to attend only one session, resulting in 162 psychological self-assessment questionnaires administered before and after each session. Meteorological comfort, the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the forest atmosphere and environmental coherence were identified as likely important external and environmental variables. Under certain conditions, forest therapy sessions performed in remote sites were shown to outperform the control session, at least for anxiety, anger and confusion. A quantitative analysis of the association of the outcomes with personal sociodemographic characteristics revealed that only sporting habits and age were significantly associated with the outcomes for certain psychological domains.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Meneguzzo & Lorenzo Albanese & Michele Antonelli & Rita Baraldi & Francesco Riccardo Becheri & Francesco Centritto & Davide Donelli & Franco Finelli & Fabio Firenzuoli & Giovanni Margheritin, 2021. "Short-Term Effects of Forest Therapy on Mood States: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9509-:d:632300
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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