The Effects of Urban Forest-walking Program on Health Promotion Behavior, Physical Health, Depression, and Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Office-workers.
10.4040/jkan.2016.46.1.140
- Author:
Kyung Sook BANG
1
;
In sook LEE
;
Sung Jae KIM
;
Min Kyung SONG
;
Se Eun PARK
Author Information
1. College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Randomized Controlled Trial ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Forests;
Walking;
Health promotion;
Depression;
Quality of life
- MeSH:
Adult;
Blood Pressure/physiology;
Body Mass Index;
Body Size;
Bone Density/physiology;
Cities;
Depression/*pathology;
Female;
Forests;
*Health Promotion;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Motor Activity;
*Quality of Life;
Sedentary Lifestyle;
Waist Circumference;
*Walking
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
2016;46(1):140-148
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the physical and psychological effects of an urban forest-walking program for office workers. For many workers, sedentary lifestyles can lead to low levels of physical activity causing various health problems despite an increased interest in health promotion. METHODS: Fifty four office workers participated in this study. They were assigned to two groups (experimental group and control group) in random order and the experimental group performed 5 weeks of walking exercise based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills Model. The data were collected from October to November 2014. SPSS 21.0 was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the urban forest walking program had positive effects on the physical activity level (U=65.00, p <.001), health promotion behavior (t= - 2.20, p =.033), and quality of life (t= - 2.42, p =.020). However, there were no statistical differences in depression, waist size, body mass index, blood pressure, or bone density between the groups. CONCLUSION: The current findings of the study suggest the forest-walking program may have positive effects on improving physical activity, health promotion behavior, and quality of life. The program can be used as an effective and efficient strategy for physical and psychological health promotion for office workers.
