New Study Shows Forest Therapy Significantly Improves PTSD Symptoms
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
A study by Forest Therapy Israel found that 70% of PTSD sufferers who received forest therapy alongside regular treatment showed daily improvement, compared to 31% in a control group. The intervention led to significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and lasting positive effects.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Forest therapy significantly improved PTSD symptoms in 70% of participants.
- The intervention group showed a 9.1-point drop in PTSD symptoms.
- Positive effects of forest therapy lasted over three weeks.
- The study involved 75 individuals recognized by the Ministry of Defense.
- 77% of participants had PTSD from combat.
A new study conducted according to Ministry of Defense criteria has found that forest therapy can significantly improve symptoms in individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research involved 75 participants recognized by the Ministry of Defense, with approximately 77% experiencing PTSD related to combat during their military service. The majority of participants were already receiving medication and ongoing medical treatment.
The study divided participants into two groups. One group of 54 individuals received forest therapy in addition to their regular treatment, while a control group of 21 participants continued with their standard care without the forest therapy intervention. The study examined PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and sleep quality.
Results indicated a statistically significant improvement among those who received forest therapy. Specifically, 70% of participants in the intervention group showed a daily improvement in their Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic nervous system balance, compared to only 31% in the control group. The intervention group also experienced a dramatic decrease of 9.1 points in PTSD symptoms.
Furthermore, the forest therapy group showed a 7-point improvement on the Patient Health Questionnaire, indicating enhanced overall health perception, versus a mere 7% improvement in the control group. The positive effects of the forest therapy intervention were observed to last for at least three weeks after the final treatment session, suggesting a lasting impact beyond the immediate treatment period. The research was conducted by "Forest Therapy Israel" and led by Yuval Bagon.
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