Effects of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) on Psychological Well-being in Urban or Rural Green Space: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Enrollment
- 30
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in the Profile of Mood States-Short Form
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study will examine the effects of Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) as an intervention for enhancing psychological well-being in Chinese population. The main component of Shinrin-Yoku is the use of 5 senses in various activities, which typically includes forest walking, meditation, yoga etc. While Shinrin-Yoku has been widely recognized in Japan as a means of preventative health and stress management, it is still a new concept in some countries. In the existing literature, there is increasing evidence demonstrating the efficacy of Shinrin-Yoku for improving for health promotion. However, there is very limited research examining the effectiveness of Shinrin-Yoku in different types of natural environment and the sustainability of its effects.
Detailed Description
This study will be a pilot randomized controlled trial on the effects of Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) as an intervention for enhancing psychological well-being in Chinese population. Prior to all study procedures, an online informed consent (with phone support) will be obtained from potential participants. Around 30 eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the natural forest group or the urban green area group in a ratio of 1:1.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Health Services Research
- Masking
- Single (Participant)
Masking Description
Deception will be necessary prior to and during the study to achieve blinding of participants for the prevention of expectation bias.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Hong Kong residents
- •Aged from 18 to 65
- •Cantonese language fluency
- •a willingness to provide informed consent and comply with the trial protocol.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Have suicidal ideation
- •Using medication or psychotherapy for depression
- •Experiencing Depression, Anxiety and Stress
- •Having unsafe conditions and are not recommended for physical activity by physicians
- •Have major psychiatric, medical or neurocognitive disorders that make participation infeasible based on the research team's judgment.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in the Profile of Mood States-Short Form
Time Frame: Pre-, post-intervention and 1-month post-intervention
The POMS-SF is a 30-item scale that measures six different dimensions of mood swings over a period of time. These include: Tension or Anxiety, Anger or Hostility, Vigor or Activity, Fatigue or Inertia, Depression or Dejection, Confusion or Bewilderment. A five-point scale ranging from "not at all" to "extremely" is administered by experimenters to patients to assess their mood states.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Insomnia Severity Index(Up to 1 month after the intervention)
- Change in Brief Resilience Scale(Up to 1 month after the intervention)
- Change in Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21(Up to 1 month after the intervention)
- Change in Nature-relatedness Scale-6(Up to 1 month after the intervention)
- Change in Subjective Vitality Scales - State Version(Up to 1 month after the intervention)
- Change in Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form(Up to 1 month after the intervention)
Investigators
Fiona YY Ho
Assistant Professor
Chinese University of Hong Kong