Forest Therapy Trails: A Conceptual Framework and Scoping Review of Research

Abstract

While most definitions of forest therapy emphasize the role of multisensory, immersive experiences in nature to achieve human health and wellbeing outcomes, reviews of research on forest therapy to date have predominantly focused on outcomes and provide limited insight on the factors and conditions that give rise to nature experiences. In this scoping review we employ a conceptual framework developed in the context of landscape perception research to examine empirical studies of forest therapy in terms of how the fuller process of human, forest, interaction, and outcome components are conceptualized and measured. Our literature search identified 266 studies focused on forest therapy and related activities, which were coded on a number of variables related to each of the four components in our framework. While most studies reported positive mental and/or physiological health outcomes using a wide array of measures, the typical study used small, homogeneous samples of participants who engaged in limited interactions with a forest environment that was minimally described. However, our analysis also identified a wider range of findings with regard to human-forest interactions, which together provide important insights for guiding forest therapy research and the provision of forest therapy trails, settings, and programs.

Forest Therapy Research in Europe: A Scoping Review of the Scientific Literature

“…Compared to research in the Far East, experimental studies on physiological indicators in Europe are quite limited, as well as trials on the health-promoting effects of forest therapy on different groups. Future studies should explore the mechanisms involved in the health-promoting action of the forest, investigating factors such as forest type, setting, atmosphere, activities, duration, and frequency [47]. The diverse European forest ecosystems offer an advantage but require standardized investigation protocols.…”

Shinrin-Yoku 森林浴 (Forest Bathing): A Scoping Review of the Global Research on the Effects of Spending Time in Nature

“…According to Gobster et al (2022), 22 Forest Therapy (FT) is an overarching term encompassing an individual’s mindful connection with nature while using a multi-sensory approach in natural and semi-natural environments to improve physical wellbeing and mental health. Gobster and associates conducted a ScR of the FT research and created a conceptual framework.…”

“…The human factor concerns who is the research participant and how the research sample may engage in or enjoy FT. Gobster et al (2022) 22 include human sub-components, such as socio-demographics, human needs and motivations, target groups and, individual group differences. The forest factor represents the features and qualities of the forest environment that may provide therapeutic effects and positive health outcomes.…”

“…The framework’s authors include within the forest component landscape/forest types and the forest type differences. Regarding the model’s interaction component, Gobster et al (2022) 22 demonstrate an interest in what kinds of activities individuals participated in and the time spent engaging with nature. The interactions component demonstrates an interest in the social aspects in nature and the size of the groups and whether guided vs unguided engagements significantly differ.…”

“…This ScR included, but was not limited to, components illustrated in the conceptual model by Gobster and co-authors (2022). 22 …”