Summary
Background. Psychiatric and neurological disorders pose significant challenges for global and national healthcare systems, necessitating accessible, holistic, and non-pharmacological treatment methods. Forest therapy, initially developed in Japan as ‘shinrin-yoku’, can improve psychological and physiological health in general populations. However, its potential in clinical contexts for patients with psychiatric and neurological conditions remains underexplored.
Material and Methods. A systematic review was conducted focusing on randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews published between 2019 and 2024. Eligible studies investigated the effects of forest therapy on individuals with psychiatric or neurological conditions, evaluating changes in symptoms, physiological markers, and quality of life. Fourteen studies were included, comprising ten control trials and four systematic reviews. Key outcomes analyzed included depression, anxiety, fatigue, cognitive functioning, sleep quality, and quality of life.
Results. The findings demonstrated consistent benefits of forest therapy for patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, including cognitive disorders, acquired brain injuries, chronic neurologic diseases, psychotic and affective disorders, chronic fatigue. For these patients forest therapy had reductive effects in depression, anxiety, and fatigue, alongside improvements in sleep quality, cognitive function, and quality of life. Methodological heterogeneity across studies was emphasized in systematic reviews. Most studies have been conducted in East Asian countries, so further research in different countries is needed to ensure the widespread use of forest therapies, considering cultural and geographic differences.
Conclusions. Forest therapy is a promising complementary intervention for patients with psychiatric and neurological disorders, particularly for individuals who may not tolerate pharmacological treatments. Establishing standardized protocols and expanding research across diverse populations are critical steps toward its clinical integration.
