Blood pressure-lowering effect of Shinrin-yoku (Forest bathing): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic review and meta-analysis (20 trials, 732 participants) concluding systolic and diastolic blood pressure are significantly lower in forest environments than in non-forest comparison settings.

Design

English- and Japanese-language trials through May 2016 comparing forest with non-forest exposure.

Results (headline)

SBP: lower in forest than non-forest environments (statistically significant pooled effect)
DBP: likewise lower in forest settings

Practice translation

Supports combining daylight walks with tree-covered trails (shade + green aerosols + lower noise) as an adjunct to—not replacement for—hypertension care from clinicians.

Outcomes

Systolic Blood Pressure
Meta-analysis (20 trials, n=732): SBP significantly lower with forest vs non-forest exposure
Diastolic Blood Pressure
Same meta-analysis: DBP significantly lower with forest vs non-forest exposure

View original paper →