A Feasibility Study to Determine Whether the Botanical Garden Become a Region of Forest Therapy for Cancer Survivors

A Feasibility Study to Determine Whether the Botanical Garden Become a Region of Forest Therapy for Cancer Survivors

A Feasibility Study to Determine Whether the Botanical Garden Become a Region of Forest Therapy for Cancer Survivors

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.

Introduction: Cancer's global impact persists, ranking among the top three causes of death in Taiwan. Despite improved survival rates after cancer surgery, negative emotions among patients remain a challenge. Post-cancer depression adversely affects treatment outcomes and overall quality of life. Forest therapy, a natural healing approach, has gained attention for its potential to reduce stress, mitigate negative emotions, and enhance well-being. Objectives: This study 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. Additionally, the study explores the lasting emotional benefits of forest therapy. Methods: Utilizing a pretest-posttest experimental design, this study is conducted at the Botanical Garden in Fushan, Taipei. Participants are cancer patients who are six months post-treatment. A two-hour guided forest healing activity serves as the intervention method. Data collection involves instrumental tests and saliva samples. A comparable location adjacent to Taipei Botanical Garden, excluding urban areas, is selected for comparison activities. Portable heart rhythm monitors track data, and saliva samples are analyzed for salivary α-amylase enzyme kinetics and cortisol concentrations. The study employs questionnaires including the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition-Adult short (POMS2-A short), Beck Depression Inventory-Second edition (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the abbreviated Taiwan version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF).

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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