Research-based Outcomes of Nature and Forest Therapy
The following list of quantitative, peer-reviewed research studies is not all inclusive. There are research studies that support the use of nature and forest therapy in the areas of immune system, cancer, pain, pulmonary disease, etc. For more information on reviews and meta analyses on Nature & Forest Therapy and Shinrin-Yoku, please visit anft.earth/research/
Improved Attention and Focus
Can a brief guided nature walk reduce distress and improve resilience, mindful attention, and sleep quality? Evidence from a pilot study with two-week follow-up
Wong, Stephanie & So, Melody & Suen, Yi Nam & Hui, Christy & Chen, Eric. (2025). International journal of environmental health research. 1-11. 10.1080/09603123.2025.2455991
Improved Energy
Effect of Forest Therapy for Menopausal Women with Insomnia
Kim H, Kim J, Ju HJ, Jang BJ, Wang TK, Kim YI. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Sep 9;17(18):6548. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186548. PMID: 32916805; PMCID: PMC7558331
Nature As Medicine: The 7th (Unofficial) Pillar of Lifestyle Medicine
Sundermann M, Chielli D, Spell S. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2023 May 31;17(5):717-729. doi: 10.1177/15598276231174863. PMID: 37711353; PMCID: PMC10498981.
Improved Sense of Well-being
Hansen MM, Jones R, Tocchini K. Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(8):851. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14080851.
A Structured Forest Therapy Intervention Enhancing the Nature Connection, Mood States, and Satisfaction with Life of U.S. Veterans with PTSD: A Pilot Study
Gil, N., Kim, J., Kim, J. G., Vogt, C., Conway, T., & Bast, K. (2025, September 19). A structured forest therapy intervention enhancing the nature connection, mood states, and satisfaction with life of U.S. veterans with PTSD: A pilot study. Journal of Veterans Studies. https://journal-veterans-studies.org/articles/10.21061/jvs.v11i2.746
Spending Time in the Forest or the Field: Investigations on Stress Perception and Psychological Well-Being-A Randomized Cross-Over Trial in Highly Sensitive Persons
Oomen-Welke K, Schlachter E, Hilbich T, Naumann J, Müller A, Hinterberger T, Huber R. Spending Time in the Forest or the Field: Investigations on Stress Perception and Psychological Well-Being-A Randomized Cross-Over Trial in Highly Sensitive Persons. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 19;19(22):15322. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215322. PMID: 36430041; PMCID: PMC9690301.
Reduced Cortisol Levels
Qiu Q, Yang L, He M, Gao W, Mar H, Li J, Wang G. The Effects of Forest Therapy on the Blood Pressure and Salivary Cortisol Levels of Urban Residents: A Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;20(1):458. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010458.
Ochiai, H., Ikei, H., Song, C., Kobayashi, M., Miura, T., Kagawa, T., Li, Q., Kumeda, S., Imai, M., & Miyazaki, Y. (2015). Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Forest Therapy Program on Middle-Aged Females. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(12), 15222-15232. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121214984
Nature connectedness boosts the bright side of emotion regulation, which in turn reduces stress
Bakir-Demir T., Berument S. K., Akkaya S. (2021). J. Environ. Psychol. 76:101642. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101642 – DOI
The Role of Nature in Coping with Psycho-Physiological Stress: A Literature Review on Restorativeness
Berto R. Behav. Sci. 2014;4:394–409. doi:10.3390/bs4040394
Reduced Blood Pressure and Regulated Heart Rate
Peterfalvi A, Meggyes M, Makszin L, Farkas N, Miko E, Miseta A, Szereday L. Forest Bathing Always Makes Sense: Blood Pressure-Lowering and Immune System-Balancing Effects in Late Spring and Winter in Central Europe. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 20;18(4):2067. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18042067. PMID: 33672536; PMCID: PMC7923773.
Yau KK, Loke AY. Effects of forest bathing on pre-hypertensive and hypertensive adults: a review of the literature. Environ Health Prev Med. 2020 Jun 22;25(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s12199-020-00856-7. PMID: 32571202; PMCID: PMC7310560.
The Effects of Forest Therapy on the Blood Pressure and Salivary Cortisol Levels of Urban Residents: A Meta-Analysis.
Qiu Q, Yang L, He M, Gao W, Mar H, Li J, Wang G. The Effects of Forest Therapy on the Blood Pressure and Salivary Cortisol Levels of Urban Residents: A Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;20(1):458. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010458.
Forest Bathing Is Better than Walking in Urban Park: Comparison of Cardiac and Vascular Function between Urban and Forest Parks.
sao TM, Hwang JS, Lin ST, Wu C, Tsai MJ, Su TC. Forest Bathing Is Better than Walking in Urban Park: Comparison of Cardiac and Vascular Function between Urban and Forest Parks. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 15;19(6):3451. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063451. PMID: 35329139; PMCID: PMC8949865.
Remote Nature Walks
Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments
Jo H, Song C, Miyazaki Y. Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(23):4739. Published 2019 Nov 27. doi:10.3390/ijerph16234739
The Effect of Forest Video Using Virtual Reality on the Stress Reduction of University Students Focused on C University in Korea.
Jo SH, Park JS, Yeon PS. The Effect of Forest Video Using Virtual Reality on the Stress Reduction of University Students Focused on C University in Korea. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(23):12805. Published 2021 Dec 4. doi:10.3390/ijerph182312805