Mood Emot.  2023 Mar;21(1):1-7. 10.35986/me.2023.21.1.1.

The Effect of Forest Healing Program on the Psychological and Physiological Changes of the Employees: A Preliminary Study

• Jung BM
• Hyun SM
• Yoon BH
• Song JH
• Kim KM
• Kim HY
• Oh DS
• Lee SM

• KMID: 2551132
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2023.21.1.1

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to investigate the effect of a forest healing program on psychological and physiological changes in employees exposed to work-related stress.
Methods
This study included 38 employees whose workplaces were located in Naju and Jeonnam. They were given a set of forest healing programs. They completed self-rating scales to assess changes in anxiety, depression, and workrelated stress. Salivary cortisol levels, electroencephalography changes, and photoplethysmography components were also assessed. The mean differences in these parameters before and after treatment were analyzed.
Results
The mean ages of male and female employees were different (p<0.010). After controlling for age as a covariate, all variables were examined for main and sex-associated effects using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Although the mean changes in saliva cortisol levels were significantly lower after treatment, the sex-associated and interaction effects were found to be insignificant.
Conclusion
Although the short-term forest healing program did not provide notable results, it may have beneficial effects on certain psychological and physiological aspects. Further studies are warranted to determine the feasibility of the forest healing program as a suitable stress management strategy for employees.

Keyword

Forestry; Anxiety; Hydrocortisone