Can a walk in the woods cure stress? new study tests forest therapy for highly sensitive people
NCT ID NCT07368231
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a 22-week program combining forest walks, mindfulness, and therapy could reduce stress and improve well-being in highly sensitive adults. 310 participants were randomly assigned to either the forest program or an indoor control. The main goal was to see if stress scores dropped more in the forest group.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Forest therapy (guided walks, mindfulness meditation, psychotherapy, sensory observation)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a natural, drug-free way to reduce stress and boost well-being for highly sensitive people.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed study, but results are not yet widely confirmed. The intervention is time-intensive (4.5 hours weekly for 22 weeks), and benefits may not apply to everyone or to other stress-related conditions.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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IFM International Forest Medicine
Ronda, Andalusia, 29492, Spain
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Sessions conducted in natural forest settings within the Serranía de Ronda, specifically the Valle del Genal area
Ronda, Andalusia, 29492, Spain
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