J Korean Acad Nurs.  2016 Feb;46(1):140-148. 10.4040/jkan.2016.46.1.140.

The Effects of Urban Forest-walking Program on Health Promotion Behavior, Physical Health, Depression, and Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Office-workers

• Bang KS
• Lee IS
• Kim SJ
• Song MK
• Park SE

• KMID: 2373171
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2016.46.1.140

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to determine the physical and psychological effects of an urban forest-walking program for office workers. For many workers, sedentary lifestyles can lead to low levels of physical activity causing various health problems despite an increased interest in health promotion.
METHODS
Fifty four office workers participated in this study. They were assigned to two groups (experimental group and control group) in random order and the experimental group performed 5 weeks of walking exercise based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills Model. The data were collected from October to November 2014. SPSS 21.0 was used for the statistical analysis.
RESULTS
The results showed that the urban forest walking program had positive effects on the physical activity level (U=65.00, p <.001), health promotion behavior (t= - 2.20, p =.033), and quality of life (t= - 2.42, p =.020). However, there were no statistical differences in depression, waist size, body mass index, blood pressure, or bone density between the groups.
CONCLUSION
The current findings of the study suggest the forest-walking program may have positive effects on improving physical activity, health promotion behavior, and quality of life. The program can be used as an effective and efficient strategy for physical and psychological health promotion for office workers.

Keyword

Forests; Walking; Health promotion; Depression; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Adult
Blood Pressure/physiology
Body Mass Index
Body Size
Bone Density/physiology
Cities
Depression/*pathology
Female
Forests
*Health Promotion
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motor Activity
*Quality of Life
Sedentary Lifestyle
Waist Circumference
*Walking

Figure

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  Figure 1 CONSORT flow diagram.

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  Figure 2 The conceptual model of the forest-walking program.

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