Effects of Forest Healing Anti-Aging Program on Psychological, Physiological, and Physical Health of Older People with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of a forest healing anti-aging program on psychological, physiological, and physical health in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Twenty-two older people with MCI living in the city participated in a forest healing anti-aging program. Psychological indicators included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Beck depression inventory (BDI), profile of mood states (POMS), World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Physiological indicators included vital signs, body composition, and blood analysis. Physical indicators included the senior fitness test (SFT), muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, static balance, and dynamic balance. Psychological, physiological, and physical indicators were evaluated at first and second pre-measurement, post-measurement, and one-month follow-up. MMSE, BDI, POMS, WHOQOL, body composition, blood analysis, SFT, muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, and dynamic balance were significantly different between pre- and post-measurement. Beck depression inventory, POMS, WHOQOL, PSQI, SFT, muscle strength (elbow flexor muscle, knee extensor muscle), spatiotemporal parameter of gait significantly improved continually until the one-month follow-up. In conclusion, the forest healing program had a positive effect on the psychological, physiological, and physical health of older people with MCI.