Effect of Life-Oriented Forest Healing Program in Urban Forest on Body Composition, Psychological State and Quality of Life of Adults over 40 Years of Age

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to verify physical and psychological effects of life-oriented forest healing program (LOFH) using urban forests in adults over 40 years of age. @*Methods@#A non-equivalent control group pre-posttest design was used. There were 50 participants in the experimental group and 52 in the control group (a total of 102 individuals). The LOFH was conducted twice a week (3 hours per week) for a total of four weeks. Body composition, psychological states (such as depression and anxiety), and quality of life (QOL) were measured before and after the program. @*Results@#Depression was significantly reduced in the group to which the forest healing program was applied. There was no significant difference in body composition (body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass, lean mass), other psychological states (anxiety, mood), or QOL. @*Conclusion@#The LOFH was useful for improving depression in adults over 40 years of age. It is necessary to develop other LOFHs to improve body composition and quality of life.