An evaluation of the effects of Forest Bathing on wellbeing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An evaluation of the effects of Forest Bathing on self-reported wellbeing
IRAS ID
293855
Contact name
Kirsten McEwan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Derby
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Forest Bathing (walking in woodland slowly and mindfully) is an established public health treatment in Japan and Korea. Forest Bathing is just starting to take root in the UK and people who try it have shown improvements in wellbeing. In a first UK study of Forest Bathing we found evidence of 1) improvements in mood (especially anxiety), compassion and feeling connected to nature; 2) improvements in heart rate variability (an indicator of physical wellbeing) and we found that 3) Forest Bathing has similar benefits to an established UK wellbeing intervention (called Compassionate Mind Training). The findings of this study led to Guildford Council promoting Forest Bathing as a social prescription through GP practices. The Forest Bathing Institute in Surrey have now been asked by the Government to treat 200 patients referred through social prescription. Our previous study looked at how Forest Bathing affects the wellbeing of the general public. We would now like to look at whether Forest Bathing can improve wellbeing in patients referred by social prescribers. The evaluation we are proposing would use a survey to assess patient's wellbeing before and after they try Forest Bathing to see if their wellbeing changes as a result of Forest Bathing. We would use a survey and brief written feedback from patients to assess their experience of Forest Bathing. If Forest Bathing does improve patient's wellbeing then this evidence will be used to encourage Council's and social prescribers to make it more widely available to people so that more people can experience it's benefits.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0119
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion