Ochiai Hiroko, Ikei Harumi, Song Chorong, Kobayashi Maiko, Takamatsu Ako, Miura Takashi, Kagawa Takahide, Li Qing, Kumeda Shigeyoshi, Imai Michiko, Miyazaki Yoshifumi
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National hospital organization Tokyo Medical Center, Higashigaoka 2-5-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan.
Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Kashiwa-no-ha 6-2-1, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015 Feb 25;12(3):2532-42. doi: 10.3390/ijerph120302532.
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.
在森林环境中散步和放松（“森林浴”或“森林疗法”）已充分证明对健康成年人有抗应激作用，但对患病或高危人群的益处尚未见报道。本研究评估了森林疗法（在森林中进行放松和压力管理活动）对血压略高的中年男性的生理和心理影响。在森林疗法前一天和疗法后约2小时测量血压以及应激的几个生理和心理指标。治疗前后的测量均在一天中的同一时间进行，以避免昼夜节律的影响。森林疗法后，收缩压和舒张压（BP）、尿肾上腺素和血清皮质醇均显著低于基线水平（p<0.05）。根据语义差异（SD）法，受试者报告感觉明显更“放松”和“自然”。森林疗法后，情绪状态量表（POMS）中“紧张焦虑”“困惑”和“愤怒敌意”的消极情绪子量表得分以及总情绪紊乱（TMD）得分均显著降低。这些结果表明，森林疗法是一种有前景的治疗策略，可将血压降至最佳范围，并可能预防血压略高的中年男性发展为临床高血压。
