Forest therapy and its measurable effects on psycho-emotional state and mood regulation
1
Public Health, National Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, Moscow, Russian Federation
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1523
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Introduction. The use of green spaces to mitigate risk factors for chronic diseases is well-established. Forest therapy (FT) is a structured approach validated in East Asia, but its effects on the Russian population are understudied, prompting this project [1-3]. Aim. To evaluate the impact of FT on psycho-emotional state and objective health parameters. Methods. A dedicated 2 km trail was created at at the Gorki Leninskiye Museum-Reserve in the Moscow region, Russia (July-September 2025). Adult visitors (n=796) participated in guided or independent walks. Before and after the walk, the POMS questionnaire was used to assess psycho-emotional state, medical professionals measured blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation. Statistical analysis included descriptive and comparative statistics (Mann-Whitney U, Fisher’s exact, Wilcoxon, McNemar) and linear regression, p<0.05 was used. Results. Participants (28.3% male; mean age 39.8±11.1 years; 32.4% guided) showed significant improvement in all six POMS mood subscales as a result of FT: anxiety decreased by 4.86±4.52 points, depression by 3.24±4.36, anger by 2.71±3.41, fatigue by 2.93±3.88, confusion by 2.87±3.17 points (all p<0.001). Vigor was unchanged (p=0.55). Total Mood Disturbance index fell from 39.7±22.32 to 23.13±15.19 points (p<0.001). Self-rated health improved by 6.64±11.47 points (p<0.001). Guided walks reduced anxiety more than independent walks (-5.41±4.40 vs. -4.59±4.55 points, p=0.016). Objective health parameters also improved: systolic BP decreased by 3.31±6.96 mmHg, diastolic BP by 1.11±4.72 mmHg, oxygen saturation increased by 0.26±1.31% (p<0.001), HR decreased by 1.01±7.69 bpm (p=0.004), HR reduction was greater in guided walks (-2.51±8.36 vs. -0.25±7.22 bpm, p<0.001). No other differences in objective parameters were significant (p>0.05). Conclusion. The concurrent improvement in psycho-emotional state, self-perceived well-being, and key physiological markers confirms the health-promoting effect of structured forest therapy. These results support scaling FT in Russia as a novel public health tool to address major noncommunicable diseases risk factors: hypodynamia and stress.
Introduction. The use of green spaces to mitigate risk factors for chronic diseases is well-established. Forest therapy (FT) is a structured approach validated in East Asia, but its effects on the Russian population are understudied, prompting this project [1-3]. Aim. To evaluate the impact of FT on psycho-emotional state and objective health parameters. Methods. A dedicated 2 km trail was created at at the Gorki Leninskiye Museum-Reserve in the Moscow region, Russia (July-September 2025). Adult visitors (n=796) participated in guided or independent walks. Before and after the walk, the POMS questionnaire was used to assess psycho-emotional state, medical professionals measured blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation. Statistical analysis included descriptive and comparative statistics (Mann-Whitney U, Fisher’s exact, Wilcoxon, McNemar) and linear regression, p<0.05 was used. Results. Participants (28.3% male; mean age 39.8±11.1 years; 32.4% guided) showed significant improvement in all six POMS mood subscales as a result of FT: anxiety decreased by 4.86±4.52 points, depression by 3.24±4.36, anger by 2.71±3.41, fatigue by 2.93±3.88, confusion by 2.87±3.17 points (all p<0.001). Vigor was unchanged (p=0.55). Total Mood Disturbance index fell from 39.7±22.32 to 23.13±15.19 points (p<0.001). Self-rated health improved by 6.64±11.47 points (p<0.001). Guided walks reduced anxiety more than independent walks (-5.41±4.40 vs. -4.59±4.55 points, p=0.016). Objective health parameters also improved: systolic BP decreased by 3.31±6.96 mmHg, diastolic BP by 1.11±4.72 mmHg, oxygen saturation increased by 0.26±1.31% (p<0.001), HR decreased by 1.01±7.69 bpm (p=0.004), HR reduction was greater in guided walks (-2.51±8.36 vs. -0.25±7.22 bpm, p<0.001). No other differences in objective parameters were significant (p>0.05). Conclusion. The concurrent improvement in psycho-emotional state, self-perceived well-being, and key physiological markers confirms the health-promoting effect of structured forest therapy. These results support scaling FT in Russia as a novel public health tool to address major noncommunicable diseases risk factors: hypodynamia and stress.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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