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

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15466147
AutoresKatja Oomen-Welke (0000-0002-8211-3150, University of Freiburg, autor correspondente), Evelyn Schlachter (University of Freiburg), Tina Hilbich (University of Freiburg), Johannes Naumann (0000-0002-9967-2135, Interdisciplinary Center for Treatment and Research in Balneology, European Institute for Physical Therapy and Balneology (EIPB), Sonnenbergstr. 35, 79117 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany), Alexander Müller (0000-0003-1148-7195, University of Freiburg), Thilo Hinterberger (0000-0001-6691-6589, University Hospital Regensburg), Roman Huber (University of Freiburg)
Ano2022
Volume19
Fascículo22
Páginas15322-15322
Data de publicação2022-11-19
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph192215322
PMID36430041
OpenAlexW4309787107
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas44

Research suggests that stays in a forest promote relaxation and reduce stress compared to spending time in a city. The aim of this study was to compare stays in a forest with another natural environment, a cultivated field. Healthy, highly sensitive persons (HSP, SV12 score > 18) aged between 18 and 70 years spent one hour in the forest and in the field at intervals of one week. The primary outcome was measured using the Change in Subjective Self-Perception (CSP-14) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were measured using the Profile Of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire and by analyzing salivary cortisol. We randomized 43 participants. Thirty-nine were allocated and included in the intention-to-treat analysis (90% female, mean age 45 years). CSP-14 in part showed significant differences-total score ( p = 0.054, Cohen's d = 0.319), item "integration" ( p = 0.028, Cohen's d = 0.365)-favoring the effects of the forest. These effects were more pronounced in summer (August). In October, during rainfall, we detected no relevant differences. POMS only showed a significant difference in the subcategory "depression/anxiety" in favor of the field. The amount of cortisol in saliva was not different between the groups. A short-term stay in a forest in summer caused a greater improvement in mood and well-being in HSP than in a field. This effect was not detectable during bad weather in the fall

Anxiety · Depression (economics · Mood · Profile of mood states · Psychiatry · Randomized controlled trial · Art Therapy and Mental Health · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Medicine · Psychology · Urban Green Space and Health · Internal Medicine

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