Efficacy of Forest-Thermal Combined Therapy for Anxiety and Stress among Smoking-Cessation Attempters
10.7586/jkbns.2022.24.4.227
- Author:
Youngran CHAE
1
;
Sunhee LEE
;
So-yeon KIM
;
Jungkee CHOI
Author Information
1. College of Nursing, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
2022;24(4):227-234
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Smoking is a way of coping with anxiety and stress. This study aimed to identify the effects of forest-thermal combined therapy on anxiety and depression in smokers who desire to quit smoking.
Methods:Thirty participants were included in the study, 15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. Those in the experimental group participated in a three-day forest-thermal combined therapy program. The program includes forest walks, meditation and thermal therapy in the charcoal kiln.
Results:Before and after the program, physiological indicators such as cortisol, heart rate variability, and serotonin anxiety level using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), and stress level using the psychosocial well-being index (PWI) were measured in both groups. The differences in STAI (p = .012) and PWI (p = .006) scores between the experimental and control groups were statistically significant. However, cortisol, heart rate variability, and serotonin were not significantly different between the two groups after the program.
Conclusion:These results show that forest-thermal combination therapy effectively reduces anxiety and stress in smokers. It suggests that forest-thermal therapy can potentially increase smoking cessation rates.
