Forest Therapy Publications
Forest therapy for chronic diseases: impacts of subtropical forest type and structure on health outcomes
R. Zhou, Y. Song, G. Wang, Z. Jia, Z. Chen, Z. Zhou, J. Wang, Y. Shi, Y. Zhou, et al. 2026 · Journal of Forestry Research 37(1), 31 This paper focuses on forest therapy in relation to chronic disease and examines how subtropical forest type and forest structure are associated with health outcomes.
Immediate health and wellbeing benefits of short-term forest therapy for urban healthcare workers
P. Zhang, Y. Cui, R. Liu, Y. Zhao, W. Su, L. Zhao, X. Wang, L. Deng, B. Wang, et al. 2025 · Frontiers in Psychology 16, 1630999 This study reports a short-term forest therapy case with urban healthcare workers and frames the intervention through wellbeing and cultural ecosystem services.
Effects of forest and simulated nature meditation on university students’ well-being
Y. Wei, W. S. Shin, M. Lee, T. Devisscher, G. Wang 2025 · Journal of Forestry Research 36(1), 117 This paper compares forest-based and simulated nature meditation for university students, making it relevant to both outdoor forest therapy and indoor nature-based formats.
Does forest immersion benefit everyone? Investigating baseline stress and scene type as thresholds for neuropsychological restoration
H. Wu, Z. Chen, G. Wang, X. Tang 2025 · Trees, Forests and People, 100977 This article examines whether baseline stress and scene type affect restoration during forest immersion, which is useful for matching participants with appropriate settings.
Research on Companion-Based Forest Therapy and Its Physiological and Psychological Benefits to College Students
M. He, Y. Hu, X. Dong, J. Ma, G. Wang 2025 · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 22(7), 1026 This study focuses on companion-based forest therapy for college students and reports physiological and psychological outcome measures.
The impacts of forest therapy on the physical and mental health of college students: a review
M. He, Y. Hu, Y. Wen, X. Wang, Y. Wei, G. Sheng, G. Wang 2024 · Forests 15(4), 682 This review summarizes published work on forest therapy and college students’ physical and mental health, helping identify research patterns and gaps.
The effects of forest therapy on the blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels of urban residents: a meta-analysis
Q. Qiu, L. Yang, M. He, W. Gao, H. Mar, J. Li, G. Wang 2023 · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20(1), 458 This meta-analysis evaluates forest therapy studies that measure blood pressure and salivary cortisol, two common physiological stress indicators.
Soundscape in urban forests
X. C. Hong, J. Liu, G. Y. Wang 2022 · Forests 13(12), 2056 This article reviews or discusses urban forest soundscapes, a sensory factor relevant to forest therapy site design and visitor experience.
Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review
M. M. Hansen, R. Jones, K. Tocchini 2017 · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14(8), 851 This review summarizes the development, methods, and health-related evidence base for shinrin-yoku, forest bathing, and nature therapy.
The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku: taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing
B. J. Park, Y. Tsunetsugu, T. Kasetani, T. Kagawa, Y. Miyazaki 2010 · Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 15, 18-26 This field study compares forest and urban environments using physiological indicators, making it one of the widely cited empirical papers on forest bathing.
Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function
Q. Li, K. Morimoto, A. Nakadai, H. Inagaki, M. Katsumata, et al. 2007 · International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology 20(2 Suppl 2), 3-8 This peer-reviewed paper examines forest bathing trips in relation to human immune function, including natural killer cell activity.
The effect of phytoncides on human natural killer cell activity
Q. Li, A. Nakadai, H. Matsushima, Y. Miyazaki, A. M. Krensky, et al. 2006 · International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology 19(2), 319-326 This study investigates phytoncides and natural killer cell activity, a biological pathway often discussed in forest therapy research.