An interventional study of Forest Therapy + Mindfulness + Psychotherapy and Behavioral: Indoor Sensory Control (Art and Aromatherapy) in Stress (Psychology), Well-Being, Psychological and Mind-Body Therapies, sponsored by IFM International Forest Medicine. Completed at 2 sites in Spain. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-26.
Sponsored by IFM International Forest Medicine · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized, multicenter interventional study evaluates a combined forest therapy (shinrin-yoku) and mindfulness-based program in adults with high sensory-processing sensitivity confirmed using a validated instrument. Participants are randomized (1:1) to either a forest-based intervention or an active indoor sensory control condition. The intervention is delivered over approximately 22 weeks according to a predefined protocol, with assessments conducted at baseline and at the end of the intervention.
This is a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group interventional study in adults with high sensory-processing sensitivity confirmed using a validated instrument. Participants are randomized 1:1 to one of two study arms at study entry and remain in their assigned group for the duration of the study.
Intervention delivery is standardized across participating sites through facilitator training and a predefined session manual. The experimental arm consists of structured sessions conducted in forest environments and includes guided walking, mindfulness-based practices, and structured sensory awareness activities, with facilitated group reflection. The active comparator arm consists of structured indoor group activities designed to match the experimental arm in duration, group interaction, and facilitator contact, without exposure to forest or outdoor natural environments.
Study procedures and assessment schedules are predefined in the protocol and implemented in accordance with applicable ethical requirements and Good Clinical Practice guidelines.
967 studies on the registry are indexed under Psychological Well-Being; 501 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 310 is above the median of 116 across 827 interventional studies indexed under Psychological Well-Being.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will undergo an approximately 22-week program with 4.5 hours weekly in forest settings. Sessions include a guided forest walk, mindfulness meditation, structured sensory awareness exercises, facilitated group reflection, and a brief psychotherapeutic component focused on emotional processing and cognitive regulation. Intervention delivery is standardized through facilitator training and a predefined session manual.
Behavioral: Forest Therapy + Mindfulness + Psychotherapy
Structured indoor sensory-based group sessions delivered weekly over approximately 22 weeks. Sessions are designed to match the experimental intervention in duration, structure, facilitator contact, and social interaction, without exposure to forest or outdoor natural environments. Activities include creative tasks, guided aromatherapy, sensory-focused exercises, and facilitated group discussion according to a predefined protocol.
Behavioral: Behavioral: Indoor Sensory Control (Art and Aromatherapy)
Participants will undergo a approximately 22-week program with 4.5 hours weekly in forest settings. Each session includes: A 2-hour guided walk with scheduled rest/hydration breaks Mindfulness meditation (20-30 minutes) Discussion/reflection segment (\~20 minutes) for participants to express sensations, experiences, or doubts A psychotherapeutic component focused on emotional processing and cognitive regulation Sensory observation (5-10 minutes) of forest stimuli (olfactory, auditory, tactile, visual) Post-session journaling capturing emotional and sensory feedback Monitoring of environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, wind, estimated phytoncide levels) Standardized facilitator training and session protocols to ensure consistency across sites This protocol is distinguished by integrating forest immersion, mindfulness, psychotherapy, and sensory training in a unified intervention tailored for Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP).
Structured indoor sensory-based group sessions delivered weekly over approximately 22 weeks. Activities include creative tasks, guided aromatherapy, and sensory-focused exercises conducted in indoor, non-forest environments. Sessions are designed to match the experimental intervention in duration, structure, facilitator contact, and social interaction, according to a predefined protocol.
Change in Perceived Stress Score (PSS-10) From Baseline to End of Intervention
Measure the difference in total score on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) between baseline and the end of the intervention. PSS-10 comprises 10 items scored 0-40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress.
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (approximately 22 weeks)
Change in Psychological Well-Being Score (WHO-5) From Baseline to End of Intervention
Measure the difference in total score on the WHO-5 Well-Being Index between baseline and the end of the intervention. WHO-5 comprises 5 items scored 0-25, with higher scores indicating better well-being.
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (approximately 22 weeks)
Plan to share: Yes — De-identified individual participant data supporting publications arising from this study will be shared with qualified researchers beginning 6 to 36 months after publication.
Supporting information: Study protocol
This study is completed, as verified in Jan 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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IFM International Forest Medicine