Clinical trial NCT04139421: Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) on Psychological Well-being
Official title: Effects of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) on Psychological Well-being in Urban or Rural Green Space: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Phase: NA
Conditions: Mental Health Wellness
Keywords: Shinrin-Yoku
Forest Bathing
Psychological Well-being
Natural Environment
Lead sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2019-10-25
Enrollment: 30
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 65
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: The randomization will be performed by an independent assessor using a computer-generated list of numbers. Participants in both groups will receive a 3-hour Shinrin-Yoku session in either natural forest or urban green area in Hong Kong.
Primary purpose: HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

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.

Eligibility criteria: 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:

* Pregnant
* 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.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in the Profile of Mood States-Short Form
timeFrame: Pre-, post-intervention and 1-month post-intervention
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change in Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21
timeFrame: Up to 1 month after the intervention
measure: Change in Nature-relatedness Scale-6
timeFrame: Up to 1 month after the intervention
measure: Change in Brief Resilience Scale
timeFrame: Up to 1 month after the intervention
measure: Change in Insomnia Severity Index
timeFrame: Up to 1 month after the intervention
measure: Change in Subjective Vitality Scales - State Version
timeFrame: Up to 1 month after the intervention
measure: Change in Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form
timeFrame: Up to 1 month after the intervention
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Hong Kong
country: Hong Kong
facility: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
city: Sha Tin
country: Hong Kong
facility: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Study officials:
References: