What do "forest course" and "nature-based exercises" mean?

You can think of the course a bit like a sports or yoga class: Under the guidance of a certified instructor for forest-based programs with a psychological background, you will perform various exercises and learn techniques from established therapeutic approaches, including those for symptom and stress management. However, instead of taking place in a gym or therapy room, you'll experience the demonstrably health-promoting environment of the forest. The forest also provides a rich source of nature-related comparisons and metaphors, encouraging reflection and contemplation. Furthermore, our five senses are stimulated in a particularly diverse way in the forest.

How active will it be?

First and foremost, our focus is on slowing down. However, we will also move around and walk short distances between exercises. You don't need to be athletic; we will discuss any potential health limitations beforehand.

When, where, and how often?

After an initial consultation at the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) of the University Medical Center, you will meet once a week for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours over four weeks for a forest course in closed groups. The first session will take place in the Arboretum and will serve as an opportunity to get to know the group and participate in initial nature-based exercises. Subsequent sessions will be held in the Elisenhain park.

Why should I participate?

Free Participation
Participation is free of charge, as the course is offered as part of a scientific research project.

Scientifically Based Health Intervention
You will participate in a therapeutically guided course in the forest, based on current scientific findings on the health-promoting effects of nature experiences.

 Meaningful Way to Bridge the Waiting Time for Therapy
If you are currently waiting for a psychotherapy appointment, the course can provide valuable support – offering initial relief and allowing you to actively improve your well-being. In this course, you will learn simple, practical exercises – in the demonstrably health-promoting atmosphere of the forest.

Be part of a supportive group

Participation takes place in small, fixed, therapeutically facilitated groups, providing space for exchange without pressure, but with plenty of understanding. Studies show that group settings can be particularly effective, as they promote social support, emotional relief, and new perspectives (e.g., Yalom & Leszcz, 2020). In nature, the group unfolds additional potential: Shared experiences in the forest create connection and trust – even without much talking.

How big are the groups?

Minimum 4 and maximum 10 people.

What questionnaires or similar materials can I expect?

Immediately following your initial consultation, some physical measurements will be taken (e.g., blood pressure). You will also be asked to conveniently complete some questionnaires from home (max. 30 minutes). Before and after the meetings in Elisenhain, we ask you to answer a few questions about your current well-being while you are out in nature. We will also collect a saliva sample using a special tube and a cotton swab. Additionally, your pulse will be measured during the forest course using a special wristband. After the four-week course and again six months later, we ask you to complete some questionnaires (digitally online or on paper). Participation is, of course, entirely voluntary.

How can I participate?

You can participate if you are currently on the waiting list for a psychotherapy appointment at the Greifswald Center for Psychological Psychotherapy and are experiencing depressive symptoms. If you are interested, we would be delighted to receive a brief email from you. Please let us know when we can best reach you by phone – we would then be happy to introduce ourselves and explain our program in more detail. If you are then generally interested in participating, we would be pleased to invite you to a preliminary consultation. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have any questions.

What happens to my data? Who has access? How is my participation protected?

Your data will be treated with strict confidentiality. Only individuals directly involved in the study have access to your personal data. All your data will be pseudonymized, meaning your personal measurement and questionnaire data will be replaced with a code of numbers and letters so that it cannot be directly linked to you. After the study period ends, the identification list (of name and individual code) will be deleted, so that no further association of data with you is possible. The anonymized data will be used for scientific purposes.The data is used for evaluation purposes, e.g., results are published in scientific journals or at conferences. No conclusions can be drawn about individual persons from this data.

The ORBIT model (Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials; Czajkowski et al., 2015) was used as the basis for the development, testing, and evaluation of a regionally adapted, modular forest therapy program for Western Pomerania. Originally designed for the systematic development of behavior-related health interventions, this model provides a multi-phase framework—from early concept development to efficacy testing in randomized controlled trials—for designing evidence-based, user-centered, and iterative psychophysiological interventions. Its emphasis on early feasibility and acceptance testing, as well as continuous optimization loops, makes this model particularly suitable for a complex, context-dependent intervention like the forest therapy program.

The project is currently in Phase II (Preliminary Testing), in which the intervention concept is being tested for feasibility and acceptance, with a focus on various health-related outcomes, within a two-stage pilot study.

This model is particularly well-suited for a complex, context-dependent intervention like the forest therapy program. All scientifically relevant information regarding the main study—including study design, outcome measures, measurement time points, data collection instruments, and planned statistical analyses—is published via preregistration on the Open Science Framework (OSF) platform.

You can find the complete documentation at the following DOI: doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/C2D5P

All relevant information concerning the study design, outcome measures, assessment time points, instruments used, and planned statistical analyses is publicly available via preregistration on the Open Science Framework (OSF).

Please refer to the following DOI for full access: doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/C2D5P