title: Physiological and psychological effects of forest therapy on middle-aged males with high-normal blood pressure.
abstract: Time spent walking and relaxing in a forest environment ("forest bathing" or "forest therapy") has well demonstrated anti-stress effects in healthy adults, but benefits for ill or at-risk populations have not been reported. The present study assessed the physiological and psychological effects of forest therapy (relaxation and stress management activity in the forest) on middle-aged males with high-normal blood pressure. Blood pressure and several physiological and psychological indices of stress were measured the day before and approximately 2 h following forest therapy. Both pre- and post-treatment measures were conducted at the same time of day to avoid circadian influences. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), urinary adrenaline, and serum cortisol were all significantly lower than baseline following forest therapy (p<0.05). Subjects reported feeling significantly more "relaxed" and "natural" according to the Semantic Differential (SD) method. Profile of Mood State (POMS) negative mood subscale scores for "tension-anxiety," "confusion," and "anger-hostility," as well as the Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score were significantly lower following forest therapy. These results highlight that forest is a promising treatment strategy to reduce blood pressure into the optimal range and possibly prevent progression to clinical hypertension in middle-aged males with high-normal blood pressure.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National hospital organization Tokyo Medical Center, Higashigaoka 2-5-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan. ochiroko@gmail.com.
authors: Hiroko
authors: H
authors: Ochiai
authors: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Kashiwa-no-ha 6-2-1, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan. ikei.harumi@gmail.com.
authors: Harumi
authors: H
authors: Ikei
authors: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Kashiwa-no-ha 6-2-1, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan. crsong1028@gmail.com.
authors: Chorong
authors: C
authors: Song
authors: Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, Sendagi 1-1-5, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan. mk831111@nms.ac.jp.
authors: Maiko
authors: M
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Center for Child Health and Development, Okura 2-10-1, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan. accodr@aol.com.
authors: Ako
authors: A
authors: Takamatsu
authors: Agematsu Town Office Industry & Tourism Department, Agematsu 159-3, Kiso, Nagano 399-5601, Japan. syoukan@town.agematsu.nagano.jp.
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Miura
authors: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture 305-8687, Japan. kagawa@ffpri.affrc.go.jp.
authors: Takahide
authors: T
authors: Kagawa
authors: Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, Sendagi 1-1-5, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan. qing-li@nms.ac.jp.
authors: Qing
authors: Q
authors: Li
authors: Nagano Prefectural Kiso Hospital, Kisomachi-fukushima 6613-4, Nagano 397-8555, Japan. kumeda@titan.ocn.ne.jp.
authors: Shigeyoshi
authors: S
authors: Kumeda
authors: Le Verseau Inc., 3-19-4 Miyasaka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-0051, Japan. leverseau@mvb.biglobe.ne.jp.
authors: Michiko
authors: M
authors: Imai
authors: Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Kashiwa-no-ha 6-2-1, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan. ymiyazaki@faculty.chiba-u.jp.
authors: Yoshifumi
authors: Y
authors: Miyazaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D065928:Forests; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012063:Relaxation; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology