NCT06001723

Brief Summary

The forest healing system is an important topic of alternative therapy in recent years. To investigates forest therapy's effectiveness in alleviating negative emotions among post-cancer patients. It compares therapy outcomes at Taipei Botanical Garden and Fushan Botanical Garden. Utilizing a pretest-posttest experimental design, a two-hour guided forest healing activity serves as the intervention method. Data collection involves instrumental tests and saliva samples.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
50

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Aug 2022

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

August 4, 2022

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 20, 2023

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 20, 2023

Completed
7 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 14, 2023

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 21, 2023

Completed
Last Updated

June 4, 2025

Status Verified

May 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

6 months

First QC Date

August 14, 2023

Last Update Submit

May 31, 2025

Conditions

NeoplasmsCancerMental Health DisorderDepression

Keywords

Forest therapyForest healingCancer SurvivorsMental Health Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (24)

  • questionnaire: POMS2-A short (Fushan botanical garden)

    Change of the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition-Adult short at Fushan botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Fushan botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: POMS2-A short (Taipei botanical garden)

    Change of the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition-Adult short at Taipei botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Taipei botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: POMS2-A short (urban region)

    Change of the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition-Adult short at urban region

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at urban region → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: BAI (Fushan botanical garden)

    Change of The Beck Anxiety Inventory at Fushan botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Fushan botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: BAI (Taipei botanical garden)

    Change of The Beck Anxiety Inventory at Taipei botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Taipei botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: BAI (urban region)

    Change of The Beck Anxiety Inventory at urban region

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at urban region → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: BDI-II (Fushan botanical garden)

    Change of The Beck Depression Inventory II at Fushan botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Fushan botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: BDI-II (Taipei botanical garden)

    Change of baseline The Beck Depression Inventory II at Taipei botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Taipei botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: BDI-II (urban region)

    Change of baseline The Beck Depression Inventory II at urban region

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at urban region → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: WHOQOL-BREF (Fushan botanical garden)

    Change of World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (Taiwan version) at Fushan botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Fushan botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: WHOQOL-BREF (Taipei botanical garden)

    Change of World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (Taiwan version) at Taipei botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Taipei botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • questionnaire: WHOQOL-BREF (urban region)

    Change of World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (Taiwan version) at urban region

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at urban region → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: alpha-amylase activity in salivary (Fushan botanical garden)

    Change of alpha-amylase activity in salivary by using commercial kits (Salimetrics®) at Fushan botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Fushan botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: alpha-amylase activity in salivary (Taipei botanical garden)

    Change of alpha-amylase activity in salivary by using commercial kits (Salimetrics®) at Taipei botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Taipei botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: alpha-amylase activity in salivary (urban region)

    Change of alpha-amylase activity in salivary by using commercial kits (Salimetrics®) at urban region

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at urban region → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: cortisol concentration in salivary (Fushan botanical garden)

    Change of cortisol concentration in salivary by using commercial kits (Salimetrics®) at Fushan botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Fushan botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: cortisol concentration in salivary (Taipei botanical garden)

    Change of cortisol concentration in salivary by using commercial kits (Salimetrics®) at Taipei botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Taipei botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: cortisol concentration in salivary (urban region)

    Change of cortisol concentration in salivary by using commercial kits (Salimetrics®) at urban region

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at urban region → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: HRV (Heart Rate Variability) (Fushan botanical garden)

    Change of HRV by using wrist monitors (ANSWatch®) to measure heart rate, heart rate variability (related to activities of the autonomic nervous system ANS), irregular heartbeats (IRRHB), and 5-minute continuous pulse wave at Fushan botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Fushan botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: HRV (Heart Rate Variability) (Taipei botanical garden)

    Change of HRV by using wrist monitors (ANSWatch®) to measure heart rate, heart rate variability (related to activities of the autonomic nervous system ANS), irregular heartbeats (IRRHB), and 5-minute continuous pulse wave at Taipei botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Taipei botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: HRV (Heart Rate Variability) (urban region)

    Change of HRV by using wrist monitors (ANSWatch®) to measure heart rate, heart rate variability (related to activities of the autonomic nervous system ANS), irregular heartbeats (IRRHB), and 5-minute continuous pulse wave at urban region

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at urban region → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: blood pressures (systolic and diastolic) (Fushan botanical garden)

    Change of blood pressures by using wrist monitors (ANSWatch®) to measure blood pressures (systolic and diastolic) at Fushan botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Fushan botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: blood pressures (systolic and diastolic) (Taipei botanical garden)

    Change of blood pressures by using wrist monitors (ANSWatch®) to measure blood pressures (systolic and diastolic) at Taipei botanical garden

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at Taipei botanical garden → post-test immediately after the intervention

  • physiological indicator: blood pressures (systolic and diastolic) (urban region)

    Change of blood pressures by using wrist monitors (ANSWatch®) to measure blood pressures (systolic and diastolic) at urban region

    per-test → 2 hours intervention at urban region → post-test immediately after the intervention

Study Arms (1)

Forest Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

This is a pretest-posttest designed experiment. A two-hour guided forest healing activity was used as an intervention method. For the purpose of comparison, an urban area adjacent to the Taipei Botanical Garden, specifically the Wanhua district, was selected. This choice ensures the exclusion of extensive green spaces commonly used for walking.

Behavioral: Forest Therapy

Interventions

Forest TherapyBEHAVIORAL

Forest healing activities are guided by professionals, allowing participants to engage in a two-hour sensory experience within the forest environment. This includes activities such as stacking leaves and stones, closing their eyes to listen to sounds, engaging in physical stretches, blindfolded tree identification, connecting with tree companions, creating earth mandalas, and partaking in tea ceremonies and sharing insights.

Forest Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age36 Years - 82 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Over 20 year-old
  • Cancer patients finished cancer treatments more than 6 months (regardless hormone therapy)
  • Voluntary attendance

You may not qualify if:

  • People who unable to walk for at least 120 minutes
  • People who still smoking, chewing betel nut or drinking alcohol (over five standard cups in any situation)
  • People who addicted to medicine
  • People who attend another clinical trial at the same time or in the follow-up period of an interventional trial
  • Pregnant women or breast feeding
  • Other conditions that participants unable to cooperate with

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Taipei city hospital

Taipei, Taipei, 10845, Taiwan

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Wei RS, Chu YS, Hong MY, Li MY, Fan SW, Tung GS, Hsu CH. A comprehensive evaluation of the health benefits of forest therapy for cancer survivors. Environ Health Prev Med. 2026;31:7. doi: 10.1265/ehpm.25-00333.

    PMID: 41605676DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

NeoplasmsMental DisordersDepression

Interventions

Forest Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral SymptomsBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Relaxation TherapyMind-Body TherapiesComplementary TherapiesTherapeutics

Study Officials

  • Chung-Hua Hsu, MD. PHD.

    Branch of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE CARE
Intervention Model
SEQUENTIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER GOV
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
director of the hospital

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 14, 2023

First Posted

August 21, 2023

Study Start

August 4, 2022

Primary Completion

January 20, 2023

Study Completion

January 20, 2023

Last Updated

June 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Locations

TW(1)