Research and Reports
The Forest Therapy Hub is providing standards and conducting research for Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy.
In this section you have access to research, reports and documents on the skills, knowledge and experience necessary for the implementation and development of nature-based solutions that have been developed in collaboration with public and private organizations, NGOs, scientists, forest owners, and professionals from different geographies.
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2023 – A Multi-Country Study Assessing the Mechanisms of Natural Elements and Sociodemographics behind the Impact of Forest Bathing on Well-Being
- Which aspects of nature have the most impact on people’s perceived well-being.
- More than 1100 participants across 35 countries evaluated after a Forest Bathing walk.
- Experiencing happy feelings and trusting emotions were especially highly rated. The natural elements perceived asย contributing the most to well-being were sound-related elements.
- The study has implications forย forest bathing, forest therapy, and nature-based training organisations and their guides who want toย improve their method of intervention delivery, maximise well-being, and enhance nature connection.
2022 – A Forest Bathing Intervention in Adults with Intellectualย Disabilities: A Feasibility Study Protocol
- An 11-weekly session programme led by FTHub-trained Guides deploying the FTHub Method that includes a training framework for professionals working with specific populations.
- The study is based on a training model that FTHub has developed and it shows the relevance of the benefits of forest bathing on the physical and psychological health of adults with intellectual disabilities.
- The study offers “an opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to benefit from a forest bathing intervention and explore its effects not only on their quality of life, but also on the improvement in their physiological and psychological state”.
2022 – Standard of Key Strategies to Reduce Hazards Mitigate Risk and Monitor Safety
- The aim of this report is to compile the techniques and strategies already used by professional Forest Bathing Guides and Forest Therapy Practitioners that try to reduce hazards, mitigate risks, assess and continue to monitor for safety. However, risks are always present, so the aim is to create a space that is โsafe enoughโ for people doing these activities.
- The definition of this standard is based on research carried out in 21 countries with the participation of 106 Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy professionals.
- FTHub selected relevant survey questions, analysed the survey results, and cross-checked outcomes in discussion with a team of FTHub trained professionals with backgrounds in psychology, psychotherapy, social work and ecopsychology. Additionally, a technical review has been conducted by three research professors with backgrounds in Psychology from University of Victoria (Canada), Derby University (UK) and Guadalajara University (Mexico).
2022 –ย Standard of Essential Characteristics of Healthy Green Spaces
- The objective of this report is to define a standard of essential characteristics found in green spaces where Forest Bathing guides and Forest Therapy practitioners usually carry out nature-based health and well-being activities.
- The definition of this standard derives from research carried out in 21 countries with the participation of 107 Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy professionals.
- This document will help organisations โ public or private entities โ in verifying if a green space has the essential characteristics for a Forest Bathing and/or Forest Therapy itinerary.
2018 โ Forest Bathing: Impact on the Health of People with Mental Illness
The results of the final report refer to the benefits on the health status of people who have participated in the Forest Bathing sessions implemented in the project:
- Positive trends in the measurements of the impact of Forest Bathing on people with mental illness in dimensions such as emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, community inclusion.
- Significant improvement in the maintenance of a favorable mood and in the regulation of anxiety and stress.ย
- Improvement in the symptomatology of mental illness, especially that related to reluctance and lack of motivation.
- Greater impact on people suffering from mood disorders: depression, bipolar disorder.
- In both genders the results have been positive, although in women the benefit has been greater.
