Forest bathing studies suggest short-term changes, with very uncertain evidence
A pooled review found lower heart rate and better mood-related scores after forest bathing, but the evidence cannot establish prevention or treatment of disease.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Heart rate, tension-anxiety scores and depression-despondency scores were lower after forest bathing in the pooled analysis. However, the evidence was rated very uncertain, and results differed substantially between studies. This abstract-based review describes changes in measured responses; it does not establish that forest bathing prevents or treats cardiovascular or mental health disorders.
The review rated evidence certainty as very low because of bias, inconsistent results and imprecision. The abstract does not describe participant characteristics, exact follow-up periods or the scales for the reported mood changes.
What was actually compared
The pooled estimates compared measurements taken before and after forest bathing. They therefore describe change over time. Without details of comparison conditions in the abstract, those changes cannot confidently be attributed to forest bathing itself.
Mood scores are limited outcomes
The reported psychological findings concerned tension-anxiety and depression-despondency scores. These measured responses do not establish recovery from a diagnosed disorder. The authors frame forest bathing as a possible complementary practice, while cautioning against treating it as a standalone intervention.
The original publication
Short-term cardiovascular and mental health responses to Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing): a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Andrade AM, Durães SDF, Franco Netto LCR et al.
Front Psychol · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41756503
- Record checked
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