Nakau, M., Imanishi, J., Imanishi, J., Watanabe, S., Imanishi, A., Baba, T., . . . Morimoto, Y. (2013). Spiritual care of cancer patients by integrated medicine in urban green space: A pilot study. Explore, 9, 87–90.
To examine the effects of an integrated medicine therapy involving forest therapy, horticultural therapy, yoga meditation, and group supportive therapy on spirituality and related symptoms
Participants walked in a forest in a park for about 40 minutes while conversing. Sixty-minute horticultural sessions were focused on vegetables that were easy to grow. Yoga sessions using postures, deep breathing, relaxation, and meditation were done for 90 minutes, and patients were encouraged to perform simple yoga exercises at home daily. Group support sessions were held for 60 minutes five times during the study.
There were improvements in functional and spiritual well being (p < .05). There were significant improvements in fatigue, with an average decline of 6.4 points (scale possible total score = 60; baseline average = 21) (p = .004). Changes in fatigue were seen in physical and affective, but not cognitive components. Only the confusion subscale of POMS showed improvement (p = .002). STAI scores declined (p = .001). NK cell activity declined (p < .001)
Therapies involving green space, relaxation, yoga, and group supportive interventions may improve well-being, fatigue, and anxiety in patients with cancer.
Integrative therapies incorporating green space as well as other relaxation and supportive interventions may improve fatigue and anxiety and promote a sense of well-being in patients with cancer. This intervention included other components of relaxation, yoga, and group support, so it is not possible to tell how much the exposure to green space contributed to changes. Further research in this area would be useful. Exposure to the natural environment would be a relatively simple activity for patients to do on their own, and it may be helpful