• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• 제30권8호
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• pp.693-702
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for developing effective forest healing programs for retirees by identifying their characteristics and preferences. A survey was conducted on demographic characteristics, overall perceptions of forest healing, and preferences for forest healing programs, targeting a total of 258 retirees visiting a natural recreation forest and a healing forest. The results of the survey suggested that the awareness of the forest treatment program and the hope of participating in it were both high, but the experience of participating in the program was low. Among the forest healing programs, the order of preference was "Breath in the forest", "Wind bathing and sunbathing", and "Feeling negative ions in the valley". Based on these results, it is expected that the forest healing program for retirees will be used as basic data for development of such programs in the future.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.114-119
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• 2021

Background: Many anionic phytoncides exist in the forest. Purpose: This study aimed to measure and investigate the number of negative ions in aerosol composition in Samdasu Forest, Jeju. Methods: We counted the number of negative ions in the aerosol with an anion meter at 17 points in the Samdasu forest area. Results: The average number of negative ions measured at 17 points in the aerosol of the Samdasu forest area was 719.7 ions/cm³, the temperature was 25.2℃, the humidity was 80.9%, the altitude was 503 m, and the wind speed was 0.6 m/sec. When looking at the content of anion number in the air quality in order, the highest place was waterfall-entrance-course R-course B- pine forest- course exit> exit wetland. The highest altitude of the collection point was in the order of pine forest-course R-course exit-waterfall-course B- exit wetland-entrance. The elevation difference in elevation was statistically significant. There was no correlation between altitude and anion content. It could be seen that the air quality fluctuates from time to time. Conclusions: A large amount of anionic phytoncide was contained in the air quality in Samdasu Forest in the over results. Therefore, Samdasu Forest is a helpful area as a place to visiting. The visit to the Jeju region, which has a high content of anionic phytoncide, has provided essential information that it has beneficial conditions for health management.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.424-434
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• 2021

People who face retirement in aging society experience changes in resilience and psychological depression. As the baby boomer generation, which has played a central role in Korea's economic and social sectors, begins retiring, interest in their post-retirement lives has also increased. Thus, this study investigates the effects of a forest healing program using forest healing factors of ecological forests on the resilience and depression of baby-boomer retirees. This experiment divided 58 subjects in the baby boomer generation into three groups and examined differences among the groups. The result showed that the subjects in the forest healing program group (FHPG) had a very significant increase in resilience and a statistically significant decrease in depression compared to those in the forest healing program non-participation group (FHNG) and the daily life group (DLG). Therefore, it can be said participating in the forest healing program is more effective for retirees than voluntary forest activities. The results of this study can be used as basic data for research on the resilience and depression of retirees.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.377-385
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• 2020

Background and objective: In the Republic of Korea, military service is mandatory. Some of new recruits have the stress from the special environment, which could cause psychological maladjustment. The military forces have operated education programs such as green camp and healing camp. The study was conducted to investigate changes in psychological and physiological stress by conducting forest healing activities along with plant scent treatment for soldiers participating in a green camp. Methods: A total of 52 soldiers were participated including maladjustment soldiers and those recommended by their military units to protect the unfit soldiers who participated in forest healing activities in the green camp. The programs that were certified by the Korea Forest Service between 2014 and 2019, and were applied for stress reduction and relaxation training were classified into stress-coping programs and forest experience programs. Post-hoc surveys and cortisol measurements were carried out. Results: Green camp soldiers experience and differences in the level of stress responses were found to be very statistically significant between the treatment and control groups. The techniques for coping with stress were not significantly different in the control group, and the treatment group showed statistically significant results. In addition, the results of analyzing changes in the concentration of cortisol and measuring physiological stress were very statistically significant in forest healing activities at 4 p.m. Conclusion: Once green camp soldiers face stressful situations, forest healing programs using forest plant scents for green camp soldiers can have positive responses and forest healing activities can reduce psychological and physiological stress responses, improving maladjustment behaviors caused by stress and positively affecting the reduction of cortisol.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.606-614
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• 2017

This study analyzed the effect of forest therapy program on reduction of stress of teachers and their positive and negative emotions based on the survey of 221 teachers who participated in the overnight Happiness School Edu-healing Camp held for teachers by the National Center for Forest Healing. For data analysis, a paired sample t-test was conducted using the SPSS 24.0 program to examine the difference in the stress reaction index of teachers and their positive and negative emotions before and after their participation in the forest therapy program. The results indicated that teachers who participated in the program showed a significant decrease in the stress response index and the values of sub-domain such as physical symptoms, depression symptoms, and anger symptoms. Moreover, all teachers exhibited a significant decrease in stress. This result verifies that the forest therapy program is effective in reducing the stress of teachers and their negative emotions. These results are expected to be used to promote more active forest therapy programs for teachers exposed to a high level of stress.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• 제104권4호
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• pp.657-667
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• 2015

This study examined the effectiveness of 'Forest Therapy (FT)' from the biological, neurocognitive and psychosocial perspectives. Adolescents who were classified as potential internet addicts took part in a FT program for two (once or twice) or three days. Before and after participating the program, Serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Comprehensive Attention Test (CAT), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were measured. It was found that FT led to positive consequences, indicated by increased serum BDNF, improved CAT performance, reduced internet use desire, greater resilience, and better social relationship. In addition, FT was partially effective in alleviating state anxiety level, when the participants were classified in accordance with FT exposure lengths. Overall, this study provides evidence that FT reduces symptoms related to internet addiction and promotes various qualities required for well-being.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• 제104권2호
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• pp.277-284
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• 2015

This study aims to evaluate the impact of forest therapy on neuro-cognitive, psychosocial, and physiological aspect of adolescent internet addiction risk group. We have classified potential and high risk user group as internet addiction risk group according to the criteria of Korean Internet Addiction Proneness Scale(K Scale). Based on the results of k-scale from the adolescents in metropolitan area from May to July 2013, 25 people were selected as Internet addiction risk group. We have randomized 13 participants joining forest therapy camp and 12 participants not joining one, and analyzed the change of the two groups with Continuous Performance, Kimberly S. Young, Connor-Davidson Resilience, Relationship Change Scale, heart rate variability and cortisol. Statistically significant changes were observedd in neuro-cognitive, psychosocial, and physiological variables, Through this study, we can consider that the therapy healing may relieve the level of internet addiction and can be an alternative to control emotional stability and impulsive behavior.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• 제102권4호
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• pp.530-536
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• 2013

This study aimed to analyze and compare results from psychological relaxations by using profile of mood state (POMS) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a scale of oxidative damage before and after walking in the forest and on the street. 29 participations (15 men and 14 women) walked in the forest and on the street for 30 minutes of each for two days. The participations filled a questionnaire for POMS and conducted an heart rate variability test, oxidative damage test (MDA as biological marker through a urine test) before and after walking. To compare the psychological states after walking in the two difference places, walking in the forest showed statistically more meaningful results in the section of tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confuse and total mood disturbance (p<0.01) than walking on the street. According to the MDA results, a concentration of MDA showed significant increase after walking on the street (p=0.014). On the contrary to this, a concentration of MDA tended to decrease after walking in the forest (p=0.076). The study showed that the psychological states were more stable and oxidative damages were more decreasing after walking in the forest than walking on the street. In the conclusion, MDA would be biological indicator for assessing the effect of alleviation on the oxidative stress after walking in the forest.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.81-90
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Aging causes a decrease in muscle mass and a change in posture, which reduces motor function and makes it difficult to perform daily activities independently. As these factors are closely related to the deterioration of the quality of life, it is very important to prevent and manage negative changes in the musculoskeletal system. Forest healing is a nature therapy course that maintains and promotes health using various environmental factors in a forest. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the forest healing anti-aging programs on the physical health of the elderly. METHODS: Ten elderly people participated in this study, as part of a forest healing anti-aging program for two days. Functional fitness, muscle strength, gait function, and balance were evaluated before and after the program. RESULTS: The number of arm curls, chair stands, and steps in a 2-min walk significantly increased (p < .05). 8-feet up & go time was significantly decreased (p < .05). Biceps brachii, quadriceps femoris, and calf muscle strength were significantly increased (p < .05). Gait velocity and cadence were significantly increased (p < .05). Step length, stride length, step time, swing time, stance time, and cycle time were significantly decreased (p < .05). Reaching distance in the lateral directions was significantly increased (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The forest healing anti-aging program improves the physical health of the elderly.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.321-332
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes of sensory and visual perception of children with intellectual disabilities by conducting psychomotorik (psychomotor activity) in the forest and indoor treatment rooms. Accordingly, this study divided 18 children with intellectual disabilities living in the facility for persons with disabilities located in Seoul into three groups: the experimental group participating in psychomotorik in the forest, the comparative group participating in psychomotorik in the treatment room, and the control group without any treatment at all. The program was conducted for 32 weeks, 4 hours a month. The results showed that psychomotorik promoted the sensory and visual development of children with disabilities. Psychomotorik in the forest showed significant effects on touch and activity level, form constancy and eye-hand coordination. Psychomotorik in the treatment room showed significant improvement in figure-ground with reduced motion. This suggests that psychomotorik in the forest as well as indoors is a positive factor for sensory adaptation reaction and visual development of children with intellectual disabilities.