Effects of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and nature therapy on mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal article
Authors | Kotera, Y., Richardson, Miles and Sheffield, David |
---|---|
Abstract | Shinrin-yoku (forest-bathing), immersing oneself in nature using one's senses, has been receiving increased attention internationally. While most of the existing studies have focused on physical health, this systematic review and meta-analysis examined the mental health benefits of shinrin-yoku (i.e., depression, anxiety, anger), using the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registery: BLINDED). Articles in English were retrieved on research databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Of 481 articles retrieved, twenty met the inclusion criteria (eight non-randomised and twelve randomised controlled trials). All studies were conducted in Asia and Europe and used a variety of different bathing approaches (e.g., breathing, walking, yoga). While noting a need for more rigorous research and more extensive follow-up assessments, the findings indicate that shinrin-yoku can be effective in reducing negative mental health symptoms in the short-term (large effects, g> .80); particularly, the effects on anxiety were largest. Overall, forest bathing improved depression, anxiety and anger in the short-term but there were a number of moderators of the effects. More careful examination of shinrin-yoku practices are needed; longer follow-up with participants from a range of countries along with greater examination of potential mechanisms of action are needed for shinrin-yoku to be accepted into mainstream interventions. |
Keywords | shinrin-yoku; forest bathing; nature therapy; mental health; meta-analysis |
Year | 2020 |
Journal | International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction |
Publisher | Springer |
ISSN | 1557-1874 |
1557-1882 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00363-4 |
Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10545/625075 |
hdl:10545/625075 | |
Publication dates | 28 Jul 2020 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 13 Aug 2020, 14:22 |
Accepted | 30 Jun 2020 |
Contributors | University of Derby |
File | File Access Level Open |
File | File Access Level Open |
File | File Access Level Open |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/93x3y/effects-of-shinrin-yoku-forest-bathing-and-nature-therapy-on-mental-health-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis
Download files
546
total views93
total downloads19
views this month0
downloads this month