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Erschienen in:

01.01.2024 | Research

Effects of an urban forest healing program on cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors

verfasst von: Kwang-Hi Park, Haneul Lee, Eun Young Park, Ji Hyun Sung, Min Kyung Song, Miyoung An, Esther Bang, Sang Yi Baek, Yerim Do, Sieun Lee, Youngeun Lim

Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Ausgabe 1/2024

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the effects of an eight-session structured urban forest healing program for cancer survivors with fatigue.

Background

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a complex and multifactorial common symptom among cancer survivors that limits quality of life (QoL). Although health benefits of forest healing on physiological, physical, and psychological aspect as well as on the immune system have been reported in many studies, there is limited evidence on the efficacy of specialized forest program for cancer survivors.

Method

A single-blinded, pre-test and post-test control group clinical trial was conducted with -75 cancer survivors assigned to either the forest healing group or the control group. The intervention was an eight-session structured urban forest program provided at two urban forests with easy accessibility. Each session consists of three or four major activities based on six forest healing elements such as landscape, phytoncides, anions, sounds, sunlight, and oxygen. Complete data of the treatment-adherent sample (≥ 6 sessions) was used to examine whether sociodemographic, clinical, physiological (respiratory function, muscle strength, balance, 6-min walking test) and psychological (distress, mood state, sleep quality, QoL) characteristics at baseline moderated the intervention effect on fatigue severity at 9 weeks.

Results

Significant time-group interactions were observed muscle strength, balance, 6-min walking test, distress, fatigue, moods, and QoL. The mean difference in fatigue between pre- and post-forest healing program was 9.1 (95% CI 6.2 to 11.9), 11.9 (95% CI 7.6 to 16.1) in moods, and -93.9 (95% CI -123.9 to -64.0) in QoL, showing significant improvements in forest healing group, but no significant improvements in the control group.

Conclusion

This study suggests that a forest healing program positively impacts the lives of cancer survivors, by addressing both physical and psychological challenges associated with CRF.

Trial registration number

KCT0008447 (Date of registration: May 19, 2023)

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Titel: Effects of an urban forest healing program on cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors
verfasst von: Kwang-Hi Park
Haneul Lee
Eun Young Park
Ji Hyun Sung
Min Kyung Song
Miyoung An
Esther Bang
Sang Yi Baek
Yerim Do
Sieun Lee
Youngeun Lim
Publikationsdatum: 01.01.2024
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Ausgabe 1/2024
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08214-3

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Effects of an urban forest healing program on cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors