Physiological effect of forest therapy

4^th International Conference on Nursing & Healthcare

October 05-07, 2015 San Francisco, USA

Lira Septarina

Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Japan

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Background: With an increasing interest in the health benefits of forest-oriented stimulations, considerable attention has been paid to forest therapy in many developed countries. The natural environment such as that of a forest is often considered to be an important factor in health promotion model. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (forest therapy). We conducted physiological experiments in actual forest, to elucidate the physiological effects on individualâ��s exposure to the total environment of forest or to certain elements of environment such as feeling the windy of the valley, resting in hammock, etc. Method: The subject of this study is fifteen (two males, thirteen females, Age 47.8�±4.06) who have a high stress levels in field work. Changes in cerebral activity monitoring by NIRS were measured to understand physiological reactivity. Result: After walking in the forest brain activation were an increase in [HbO2] and a decrease in [HbR] compared to before forest walking. Conclusion: Experience of forest therapy may promote the physiological conditions; in addition forest therapy may be effective for reducing negative psychological symptoms. The results support the concept that forest bathing has positive effects on physical and mental health, indicating that it can be effective for health promotion.

Biography :

Email: liraliraa@yahoo.com