Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunity
Abstract Scientific research on forest therapy’s preventive medical and mental health effects has advanced, but the need for clear evidence for practical applications remains. We conducted an unblinded randomized controlled trial involving healthy men aged 40–70 to compare the physiological and psyc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87704-2 |
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| author | Hiroko Ochiai Shigeru Inoue Gaku Masuda Shiho Amagasa Tomohiko Sugishita Toshiya Ochiai Naoko Yanagisawa Yoshio Nakata Michiko Imai |
| author_facet | Hiroko Ochiai Shigeru Inoue Gaku Masuda Shiho Amagasa Tomohiko Sugishita Toshiya Ochiai Naoko Yanagisawa Yoshio Nakata Michiko Imai |
| author_sort | Hiroko Ochiai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Scientific research on forest therapy’s preventive medical and mental health effects has advanced, but the need for clear evidence for practical applications remains. We conducted an unblinded randomized controlled trial involving healthy men aged 40–70 to compare the physiological and psychological effects of forest and urban walking. Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to either the forest or urban group, with 78 completing 90-min walks and analysis. The primary outcome measured was the change in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels. Evaluating researchers were blinded to the groups, but participants and on-site staff were not. Here, we demonstrate a significant increase in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in the forest group. Furthermore, forest walking resulted in improved mood, including a reduction in stress hormone levels. In conclusion, mindful forest walking has the potential to enhance immunity and promote health. Clinical trial registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network. Trail registration number: UMIN000045851. Approval date: 25/10/2021. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ea995c9c43ae4675998bcaff5331872d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-ea995c9c43ae4675998bcaff5331872d2025-01-26T12:34:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-87704-2Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunityHiroko Ochiai0Shigeru Inoue1Gaku Masuda2Shiho Amagasa3Tomohiko Sugishita4Toshiya Ochiai5Naoko Yanagisawa6Yoshio Nakata7Michiko Imai8Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Division of Hearing and Balance Disorder, National Institute of Sensory Organs, NHO Tokyo Medical CenterDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical UniversityThe Section of Global Health, Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Tokyo Women’s Medical UniversityDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical UniversityThe Section of Global Health, Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Tokyo Women’s Medical UniversityForest Baubiologie Studio Inc.Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tokyo Women’s Medical UniversityInstitute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of TsukubaLe Verseau Inc.Abstract Scientific research on forest therapy’s preventive medical and mental health effects has advanced, but the need for clear evidence for practical applications remains. We conducted an unblinded randomized controlled trial involving healthy men aged 40–70 to compare the physiological and psychological effects of forest and urban walking. Eighty-four participants were randomly assigned to either the forest or urban group, with 78 completing 90-min walks and analysis. The primary outcome measured was the change in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels. Evaluating researchers were blinded to the groups, but participants and on-site staff were not. Here, we demonstrate a significant increase in saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in the forest group. Furthermore, forest walking resulted in improved mood, including a reduction in stress hormone levels. In conclusion, mindful forest walking has the potential to enhance immunity and promote health. Clinical trial registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network. Trail registration number: UMIN000045851. Approval date: 25/10/2021.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87704-2Forest walkingForest therapyMental healthMucosal immunityRandomized controlled trialSaliva-secreted immunoglobulin A |
| spellingShingle | Hiroko Ochiai Shigeru Inoue Gaku Masuda Shiho Amagasa Tomohiko Sugishita Toshiya Ochiai Naoko Yanagisawa Yoshio Nakata Michiko Imai Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunity Scientific Reports Forest walking Forest therapy Mental health Mucosal immunity Randomized controlled trial Saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A |
| title | Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunity |
| title_full | Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunity |
| title_fullStr | Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunity |
| title_short | Randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunity |
| title_sort | randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of forest walking compared to urban walking in enhancing mucosal immunity |
| topic | Forest walking Forest therapy Mental health Mucosal immunity Randomized controlled trial Saliva-secreted immunoglobulin A |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87704-2 |
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