Effects of Outdoor Activities in Forests on Atopic Dermatitis
- Author:
Woo Kyung KIM
1
;
Won KIM
;
Jong Min WOO
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Atopic Dermatitis;
Forests;
Vitamin D;
Quality of Life
- MeSH:
Child;
Dermatitis, Atopic;
Forests;
Humans;
Quality of Life;
Vitamin D
- From:
Mood and Emotion
2019;17(2):63-69
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of out-door activities in the forest environment, the so-called "forest therapy program," among children with atopic dermatitis (AD).METHODS: A total of 40 children with moderate-severity AD were enrolled in this study. All subjects were divided into either the "forest group" participating in the forest therapy program or the control group. The vitamin D level and quality of life (QOL) were measured at the initial visit and 8-week final visit.RESULTS: The SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index was reduced significantly more in the forest group than in the control group (39.17±4.48 vs. 27.00±4.87); however, it did not reach statistical significance. The vitamin D (25(OH)-D₃) level was increased significantly more in the forest group than in the control group (p>0.001). The mean QOL score was not significantly decreased in the forest group.CONCLUSION: The forest therapy program was proven to be associated with the reduction of the SCORAD index and the increase of vitamin D level. However, QOL measures did not show statistically significant improvement. Thus, the forest therapy program may have a positive trend of biological and psychosocial effects in children with AD.
