The Effects of Single Session Forest Walking on Physiological and Psychological State of Myocardial Infarction Patients

Abstract

Physical activities in the forest environment stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system of humans and have positive effects on the autonomic nervous system as well as moods and emotions. However, there are almost no studies on the benefits of exercise in the forest environment for patients with myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 15-minute single session walking by myocardial infarction patients in the forest and urban environment on the physiological and psychological states. The heart rate variability was measured in 10 patients with myocardial infarction to assess physiological state after single session walking for 15 minutes in the forest environment and urban environment. In order to evaluate the psychological state, a profile of mood scale (POMS) and semantic differential (SD) questionnaire were used. The results of this study showed that 15-minute single session walking in the forest environment activated the parasympathetic nervous system of adult myocardial infarction patients more than 15 minutes of single session walking in the urban environment, and also made them feel more positive in terms of the POMS and SD. Therefore, this study suggests that even single session walking in the forest environment can positively influence the physiological and psychological states of adult heart disease patients and may also contribute to health care.