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Effects of Forest Healing Anti-Aging Program on Psychological, Physiological, and Physical Health of Older People with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Author

Listed:
  • Ji-Eun Baek

    (Department of Health Science, Gachon University Graduate School, Incheon 21936, Korea
    These authors contributed equally to this work as the first-author.)

  • Jin-Hwa Jung

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, Korea
    These authors contributed equally to this work as the first-author.)

  • Ho-Jin Shin

    (Department of Health Science, Gachon University Graduate School, Incheon 21936, Korea)

  • Sung-Hyeon Kim

    (Department of Health Science, Gachon University Graduate School, Incheon 21936, Korea)

  • Si-Yoon Sung

    (Huenlab, Seoul 05542, Korea)

  • Su-Jin Park

    (Forest Policy and Economics Department, Forest Welfare Division, National Institute of Forest Science, Seoul 02455, Korea)

  • Suk-Chan Hahm

    (Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Korea)

  • Hwi-Young Cho

    (Department of Physical Therapy, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea)

  • Min-Goo Lee

    (Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of a forest healing anti-aging program on psychological, physiological, and physical health in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Twenty-two older people with MCI living in the city participated in a forest healing anti-aging program. Psychological indicators included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Beck depression inventory (BDI), profile of mood states (POMS), World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Physiological indicators included vital signs, body composition, and blood analysis. Physical indicators included the senior fitness test (SFT), muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, static balance, and dynamic balance. Psychological, physiological, and physical indicators were evaluated at first and second pre-measurement, post-measurement, and one-month follow-up. MMSE, BDI, POMS, WHOQOL, body composition, blood analysis, SFT, muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, and dynamic balance were significantly different between pre- and post-measurement. Beck depression inventory, POMS, WHOQOL, PSQI, SFT, muscle strength (elbow flexor muscle, knee extensor muscle), spatiotemporal parameter of gait significantly improved continually until the one-month follow-up. In conclusion, the forest healing program had a positive effect on the psychological, physiological, and physical health of older people with MCI.

Suggested Citation

  • Ji-Eun Baek & Jin-Hwa Jung & Ho-Jin Shin & Sung-Hyeon Kim & Si-Yoon Sung & Su-Jin Park & Suk-Chan Hahm & Hwi-Young Cho & Min-Goo Lee, 2022. "Effects of Forest Healing Anti-Aging Program on Psychological, Physiological, and Physical Health of Older People with Mild Cognitive Impairment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-17, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4863-:d:795585
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Forest Therapy Program on Middle-Aged Females," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Michele Antonelli & Davide Donelli & Grazia Barbieri & Marco Valussi & Valentina Maggini & Fabio Firenzuoli, 2020. "Forest Volatile Organic Compounds and Their Effects on Human Health: A State-of-the-Art Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-36, September.
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    5. Hyeyun Kim & Yong Won Lee & Hyo Jin Ju & Bong Jin Jang & Yeong In Kim, 2019. "An Exploratory Study on the Effects of Forest Therapy on Sleep Quality in Patients with Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-7, July.
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    7. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Maiko Kobayashi & Takashi Miura & Masao Taue & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Effect of Forest Walking on Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Middle-Aged Hypertensive Individuals: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, March.
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