Effects of Forest Bathing in Vancouver, B.C. Parks

NCT ID: NCT05502588

Last Updated: 2023-04-25

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

198 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-04-22

Study Completion Date

2023-04-20

Brief Summary

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This study aims to investigate environmental factors that influence people's responses to the Japanese practice of forest bathing in Vancouver, B.C. parks.

Detailed Description

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The primary research aim is to investigate the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in a sample of Vancouver, B.C. forested parks and specific health-related outcomes after forest bathing interventions. Forest bathing programs are a promising therapeutic method for enhancing heart rate and blood pressure functions and an effective psychological relaxation strategy. This study will investigate changes in autonomic nervous system activity and mood states after a 60-90 minute forest bathing program in four Vancouver, B.C. parks. Approximately 100 adult participants will be recruited for the study and participate in four sessions over one year. Physiological responses, pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and psychological indices will be measured before and after each session.

The health effects of forest-based interventions will vary due to environmental factors such as weather, temperature, humidity, light, and participants' psychological and physiological states. We are taking measurements pre- and post-treatment to detect any change in response during each session and seasonally.

Primary endpoint is to determine if the guided walk provides greater enhanced heart rate and blood pressure functions and an effective psychological relaxation strategy over the self-guided walk.

Secondary endpoints: 1) to determine if participants living in neighborhoods with below average street trees receive greater benefits than participants that live in neighborhoods with average or above average street trees, 2) assess changes within the same individuals over time 3) if there are different outcomes seasonally 4) if there are different outcomes between study sites.

Conditions

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Nature, Human Mental Health Wellness 1 Stress, Psychological Blood Pressure Environmental Exposure Anxiety

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Participants are invited four times over one year to a forest bathing session that takes place on a barrier-free Vancouver, B.C. park trail. Each session is 2-hours including time for pre-test and post-test health measurements. At the study site participants will be randomized in 1:1 ratio to guided forest bathing walk or self-guided forest bathing walk. Subsequent sessions will be counterbalanced.
Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
At the study site participants will be randomized in 1:1 ratio to guided forest bathing walk or self-guided forest bathing walk.

Study Groups

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Self-Guided Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing intervention without a guide and basic navigational instructions, explanation of forest bathing, and time to return.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Self-Guided Forest Bathing

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will participate in two, 60-90 minute self-guided forest bathing sessions over the course of a year in one of four Vancouver, B.C. park trails and be given prompts to consciously use their five senses in the forest.

Guided Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing intervention led by a certified Forest Therapy guide.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Guided Forest Bathing

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will participate in two, 60-90 minute guided forest bathing sessions over the course of a year in one of four Vancouver, B.C. park trails. They will be invited by a certified forest therapy guide to consciously use their five senses in the forest.

Interventions

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Self-Guided Forest Bathing

Participants will participate in two, 60-90 minute self-guided forest bathing sessions over the course of a year in one of four Vancouver, B.C. park trails and be given prompts to consciously use their five senses in the forest.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Guided Forest Bathing

Participants will participate in two, 60-90 minute guided forest bathing sessions over the course of a year in one of four Vancouver, B.C. park trails. They will be invited by a certified forest therapy guide to consciously use their five senses in the forest.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Adults (19+) that are residents of Vancouver, B.C.
* Spend time on a trail in a Vancouver park for at least 60 minutes per month
* Willing to refrain from tobacco products, alcohol, caffeine, marijuana, and psilocybin for at least two hours prior to arriving at the study site and during the forest bathing sessions

Exclusion Criteria

* Must be able to move along a barrier-free trail independently
* Non-residents (e.g. tourists)
* Children (under 19 years of age)
* Participants with pets
Minimum Eligible Age

19 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of British Columbia

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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John Innes

Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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John L. Innes, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of British Columbia

Locations

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Malcolm Knapp Research Forest

Maple Ridge, B.C., Canada

Site Status

Jericho Beach Park

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Site Status

Pacific Spirit Regional Park

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Site Status

Stanley Park

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Site Status

Countries

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Canada

Related Links

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https://flex.redcap.ubc.ca/surveys/?s=9WXWAEEEWED7DWF7

UBC Forest Bathing Study Information and Consent Form

https://forestry.ubc.ca/faculty-profile/john-innes/

John Innes, Professor, Faculty of Forestry

Other Identifiers

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H22-00216

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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