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Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for citizens all around the world. The pandemic has a direct impact on economic, social, and other elements of life, such as health (Chaplyuk et al., 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the psychological health of young adults, such as depression, stress, and anxiety (Taha et al., 2014), as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (Shultz et al., 2015). Adolescent mental health can be impacted by social and physical restrictions, as well as school closures for young adults. According to the godataipb.org data source: 44.5% of students experienced fatigue and 55.2% lost interest in the survey 'Career Awareness and Mental Health of IPB University Students in the Pandemic Period with 299 respondents, active undergraduate and vocational students of IPB University on 24-30 July 2020. A walk, according to 165 people, is an effective way to improve one's mood. Young people can have an impact on the development and promotion of mental health and well-being (MHWB) programs (Raviola et al., 2019).
Lower rates of depression are connected with increased access to green open spaces, physical activity, and mental health. Green open spaces improve mental health by increasing physical exercise, providing a social space for residents, fostering social relationships, and relieving stress and mental fatigue (Cohen-Cline et al., 2015). To establish a therapeutic landscape, physical, social, symbolic, and experiential spaces must be developed (Völker & Kistemann, 2015). Previous studies have shown that exposure to natural stimuli in green spaces through physical activity or relaxation may have a psychological impact on daily routines (Li, 2010). Forest bathing is one method of natural therapy that can be used. Forest bathing is a way to enjoy the forest by walking around and enjoying everything it has to offer. This natural and low-cost activity is believed to relieve stress-related disorders by allowing plants to relax physiologically (Tsunetsugu et al., 2009).
Several studies on the physiological and psychological relaxing effects of walking and exploring urban parks and forests on young adults have been conducted. Physiological studies have shown that park and forest environments reduce heart rate and blood pressure while enhancing parasympathetic nervous activity (Park et al., 2009). Furthermore, psychological studies have shown benefits in increasing subjective evaluations of feeling comfortable, natural, relaxed, strong, serene, and rejuvenated (Park et al., 2009), reducing negative moods (e.g., tension, anger, fatigue, depression, confusion), and anxiety states (Tsunetsugu et al., 2013). Yu et al. (2017) reported that a brief two-hour walk in the forest reduced pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and negative emotions (e.g., anger, confusion, depression, tension, fatigue), anxiety, and raised emotion positively.
Therapeutic garden planning and design must focus on meeting the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of human users. In gardening, selection and meticulous arrangement of garden elements are required so that a park can reach functional and aesthetic value. Therapy rooms in open settings in Indonesia typically simply feature a contemplation walk; a therapeutic garden that meets the criteria would be more beneficial. The function of therapeutic parks should be evaluated in city parks that have been established so that parks can become public health therapy areas. Therapeutic gardens have unique aesthetic and functional values that must be considered when designing them. Existing facilities in Indonesian urban parks should be evaluated because planning is still inadequate, such as a lack of aromatic plants that stimulate the sense of smell, a lack of noise-reducing plants to reduce disturbance, and a lack of infrastructure with track widths and lengths that meet the needs of visitors of all ages (Massie et al., 2020). The purpose of this study is to offer such evidence for use in landscape planning guidelines to assist therapeutic urban greenspaces in Indonesia. This study investigates the effects of walking and relaxed sitting on psychological wellness. Our study hypothesizes that walking and relaxed sitting in urban greenspaces can improve psychological impacts.
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Materials and Methods
2.1 Experiment Sites
The experiment was conducted from August to September 2022 in Bogor City, Indonesia, at Bogor City Alun-Alun, Sempur Park, and Heulang Park (Figure 1). The three parks were chosen because (1) they are public urban greenspaces that anyone can access without paying an entry fee; (2) they are located in the city centre; (3) there is a walking and relaxation therapy area such as a shady area, and there is a jogging track area; and (4) the tree growth rate is mature enough to provide shade (Pratiwi et al., 2022). This study used Bogor City as a case study since the extent of urban greenspaces in Bogor City already surpasses the standards stated by Law no. 26 of 2007 concerning spatial planning, with the area of green open space in Bogor City exceeding the minimum figure of 30% of the city's area. Despite having enough green open spaces in Bogor City, many Bogor City citizens suffer from psychological health issues. Bogor City Alun-Alun is 1.7 hectares in size, featuring a 500 m jogging track. Sempur Park includes a 973-meter-long running track with an average width of 1.5 meters, whereas Heulang Park has a 2.8-hectare space. Alun-Alun is Indonesia's one-of-a-kind historic open space (Kohori et al., 2019). The following criteria are applied to identify pedestrian paths: (1) a minimum length of 400 m one way; (2) a level slope; and (3) the presence of trees along the path. While the factors for selecting seats include (1) security; (2) a flat slope; and (3) the presence of shade, such as a big tree, which leads to a nice view (Pratiwi et al., 2020).
AB C
Figure 1. Experiment location. (A) Bogor City Alun-Alun. (B) Sempur Park. (C) Heulang Park
Note: The yellow line is the walking track, and the red circle is the relaxed sitting point.
The three parks have distinct vegetation cover characteristics, such as low vegetation cover in Bogor City Alun-Alun due to its recent revitalization in 2021 and high vegetation cover in Heulang Park and Sempur Park (Figure 2). There are differences in terms of climatic components (Table 1).
A
B
C
Figure 2. Experiment location. (A) Bogor City Alun-Alun. (B) Sempur Park. (C) Heulang Park.
Table 1. Climate Components Average in Bogor City Alun-Alun, Sempur Park, and Heulang Park.
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Walking
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Relaxed Sitting
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Climate Components
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Bogor City Alun-Alun
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Sempur Park
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Heulang Park
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Climate Components
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Bogor City Alun-Alun
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Sempur Park
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Heulang Park
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Temperature (°C)
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31.4
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32.5
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31.6
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Temperature (°C)
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30.8
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31.2
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30.9
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Humidity (%)
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52.2
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46.2
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52.4
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Humidity (%)
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54.1
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51.8
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52.6
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Wind speed (m/s)
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0.2
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0.3
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0.5
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Wind speed (m/s)
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0.2
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0.4
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0.7
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Noise (dB)
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56.4
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54.9
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59.2
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Noise (dB)
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56.7
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54.5
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61.8
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Light intensity (Klux)
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22.8
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27.3
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25.5
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Light intensity (Klux)
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19.2
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14.9
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11.6
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|
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|
|
|
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2.2 Participants
In this study, the snowball sampling method was employed to choose participant (Pratiwi et al., 2020) through 11 key informants spread across nine faculties and two schools at IPB University. Posters and Google forms were used to recruit participants, which were then circulated on social media and WhatsApp. Following that, participants will be given information about the research objectives, trial processes, trial dates, and a comprehensive study protocol. The research protocol was reviewed by the doctor in charge of the study at IPB University Polyclinic. Participants had to meet the following criteria: (1) be IPB students aged 19-26 years old, (2) reside in Bogor or its vicinity, (3) not be presently being treated for cardiovascular disease or hypertension, and (4) be physically fit enough to run for 20 minutes or longer. This qualifying criterion is based on previous research conducted at IPB University (Pratiwi et al., 2022). The city and regency of Bogor are home to up to 30 student participants. Previous research with sample sizes ranging from 9 to 19 individuals showed significant results (Pratiwi et al., 2019, 2020). Thus, 30 subjects are sufficient to provide statistically significant findings in the experiment. The park therapy experiment included six males and twenty-four females (mean age, 21.1 ± 0.2 years). The experimental procedure adheres to the norms of the IPB University's Research Ethics Commission involving Human Subjects (Number: 735/IT3.KEPSM-IPB/SK/2022).
2.3 Experimental Design
In one day, thirty participants were separated into two groups. Bogor City Alun-Alun, Sempur Park, and Heulang Park are in Group 1; Heulang Park, Bogor City Alun-Alun, and Sempur Park are in Group 2. 09.00 - 12.00 was the experimental period for park therapy with walking and relaxed sitting activities. Each group has two participants. Each participant may only take part in the experiment once. Participants were required to undergo a medical examination by the polyclinic's medical team before the trial. The participants were then required to bring a health certificate on the day of the trial. All participants assembled in the conference room, and then all staff conducted a screening that included 1) measuring body temperature (no fever of 38˚C) and 2) checking general health conditions (no cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath). Following that, participants completed and signed the consent form. Before the experiment, participants were explained to and asked to complete a questionnaire to assess their mood, anxiety, and quality of life (Pratiwi et al., 2020, 2022). For 15 minutes, each participant walks or sits at a predetermined location. The participants then returned to the break room to complete the questionnaire. A minimum washout duration of 30 minutes was considered sufficient in this experiment to eradicate the treatments used in previous studies (Pratiwi et al., 2020; Pratiwi & Furuya, 2019). During the experiment, participants were obliged to 1) wear a mask, 2) keep their distance, 3) not smoke, 4) not eat, and 5) not consume caffeinated drinks, under the health protocol to prevent COVID-19 transmission (walking or relaxing sitting and filling out a questionnaire) (Pratiwi et al., 2022).
2.4 Research and Tools Materials
Before and after the experiment, participants were asked to complete a Profile of Mood States (POMS) and a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). POMS was employed to assess mood conditions, which comprised 35 questions covering six subscales: tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion, and vigour. The five-point Likert scale spans from 0 (not at all) to 4. (very). They calculated the total score of mood disorders (TMD) using the following formula: [TEN+DEP+ANG+FAT+CON] – [VIG]. The current state of anxiety was assessed using the STAI state's Anxiety scale following exposure to a green area, which consisted of 20 questions. The scales used are four Likert scales with values ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4. (very) (Fernández-Blázquez et al., 2015; Julian, 2011). The WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was then administered before and after the study. The 26-question quality of life questionnaire covers four areas: physical health, psychological health, social interactions, and environmental situations. The ratings used are five Likert scales ranging from 1 (extremely poor) to 5 (excellent) (very good).
2.5 Analysis Methods
The Friedman test for data with an abnormal distribution and the Repeated Measures ANOVA test for data with a normal distribution were used to assess the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires. The Friedman and Repeated Measures ANOVA tests were also employed to analyze the differences in the findings of the POMS and STAI subscales obtained from individuals walking and relaxed sitting in three different locations. Because the data acquired from the WHO Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) is normally distributed, the Paired T-test was used to examine it. For data with an abnormal distribution, Spearman's correlation was used, while for data with a normal distribution, Pearson's correlation was used. Actual data are presented as averages, and statistical differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. All statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS-22. The research flow is presented in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Research flow.
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Result
3.1 The Characteristics of Sociodemographic
Park treatment involved 30 persons in all. According to the table, the average age of the experimental subjects was 21.1 ± 0.2 years, with 25% male (n = 6) and 75% female (n = 24). The individuals' average height was 158.7 ± 1.3 cm, and their body weight was 52.6 ± 1.7 kg. Most 90% of the participants were studying at the undergraduate program level (n = 27), and 10% were taking the graduate program level (n = 3). Then, when it came to knowledge about forest bathing, 67% of the individuals (n=20) did not know about it, whereas 33% (n = 10) did. On weekends, 35% (n = 13) of the participants preferred the full-day forest bathing program. 27% (n = 10) of subjects preferred the weekend half-day program; 11% (n = 4) preferred the two days and one-night program using a tent; 5% (n = 2) preferred the two days one-night program using a cottage; and as many as 22% (n = 8) preferred a vacation lasting a few days to a week (for the forest bathing program they were interested in, the subjects could choose more than one option). Walking activity programs were preferred by 21% (n = 10) of participants. Relaxed sitting programs were preferred by 33% (n = 16) of the individuals. 21% (n = 10) of the individuals preferred the activity program in the hammock, whereas 6% (n = 3) preferred the activity program on forest land. 11% (n=5) of the individuals preferred the water immersion program; 6% (n = 3) preferred the sensory experience activity program; and 2% (n = 1) preferred the breathing exercise program (for program activities of interest, subjects may choose more than one option) (Table 2).
Table 2. Characteristics of subjects who took part in the forest bathing program at urban greenspaces
in Bogor City.
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Parameter
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Average (N=30)
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Age (years)
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21.2 ± 0.2
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Height (cm)
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158.7 ± 1.3
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Body weight (kg)
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52.6 ± 1.7
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BMI
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20.8 ± 0.6
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Gender
Man
Woman
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6 (80%)
24 (20%)
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Educational stage
Bachelor
Master
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27 (90%)
3 (10%)
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Forest bathing knowledge
Knowing
Don’t know
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10 (33%)
20 (67%)
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Forest bathing programs
Weekend full-day programs
Half-day program weekend
2 days 1 night using tent
2 days 1 night using cottages
Holidays for several days to a week
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13 (35%)
10 (27%)
4 (11%)
2 (5%)
8 (22%)
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Activity program
Walking
Relaxed-sitting
Lying on the hammock
Lying on the ground of the forest
Soaking in the water
Sensory experience
Breathing exercises
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10 (21%)
16 (33%)
10 (21%)
3 (6%)
5 (11%)
3 (6%)
1 (2%)
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3.2 Questionnaire Results from Profile of Mood States (POMS)
The average POMS subscale scores obtained from 30 subjects before and after walking in three different Bogor urban greenspaces (Bogor City Alun-Alun, Sempur Park, and Heulang Park) revealed significant differences in the subscales of anger (p = 0.023), confusion (p = 0.001), depression (p = 0.000), tension (p = 0.000), and vigour (p = 0.028) due to a decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions There was no significant difference in negative emotions, fatigue (p = 0.228) since negative emotions rose while the subject was in Bogor City Alun-Alun and Sempur Park (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Comparison of the results of the POMS subscale and before and after walking experiment
in the three locations. (A) Anger. (B) Confusion. (C) Depression. (D) Tension. (E) Fatigue.
(F) Vigour.
Note: (*) p-value ≤0.05
Significant differences in fatigue (p = 0.001), confusion (p = 0.000), depression (p = 0.004), tension (p = 0.000), and vigour (p = 0.004) were observed when subjects performed the relaxed sitting experiment. There was no significant difference in negative anger feelings (p = 0.103) because negative emotions increased while the participant was at Heulang Park (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Comparison of the POMS subscale results before and after relaxed sitting experiment in
the three locations. (A) Anger. (B) Confusion. (C) Depression. (D) Tension. (E) Fatigue. (F)
Vigour.
Note: (*) p-value ≤0.05
The results of Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) comparing walking and relaxed sitting activities in urban greenspaces revealed the most significant difference when the subject completed the relaxed sitting activity (p = 0.000) against the walking activity (p = 0.083). Scores were obtained before and after walking in Bogor City Alun-Alun (4.05; 2.90), Sempur Park (3.85; 3.40), and Heulang Park (3.78; 3.02). While the scores obtained before and after the subject sat relaxed in Bogor City Alun-Alun (4.75; 3.12), Sempur Park (3.93; 3.08), and Heulang Park (4.75; 3.12), respectively (3.88; 2.23). The resulting score demonstrates the best emotion decrease while the subject is in Heulang Park. The Japanese POMS questionnaire categorizes POMS scores as "low" (-20 - 19), "moderate" (20 - 59), and "high" (60 - 100). Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) findings show that the subject's negative mood dropped while his positive mood grew; scores before and after walking/relaxed sitting varied from 4.75 to 2.90, which is considered "low" (Figure 6).
Figure 6. Comparison of the POMS (TMD) results in subscale walking and relaxed sitting before and after an experiment in the three locations. (A) Walking. (B) Relaxed sitting.
Note: (*) p-value ≤0.05
3.3 Questionnaire Results from State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
The average STAI score indicated significant differences for walking (p = 0.000) and relaxed sitting (p = 0.000) for the three sites. The STAI was measured before and after walking at Bogor City's Alun-Alun (36.2; 32.3), Sempur Park (34.5; 32.1), and Heulang Park (34.5; 32.1). (34.3; 30.1). STAI was also evaluated before and after a relaxed sitting at Bogor City Alun-Alun (37.4; 34.2), Sempur Park (35.1; 32.1), and Heulang Park (35.1; 32.1). (35.2; 28.8). These findings show that anxiety levels in Heulang Park have greatly decreased. The score also demonstrates that relaxed sitting has more substantial effects than walking. STAI scores are often divided into three categories: "absent or low anxiety" (20-37), "moderate anxiety" (38-44), and "high anxiety" (45-80) (Kayikcioglu et al., 2017). These findings suggest that the subject's anxiety level before and after walking/relaxed sitting is 31.5 - 35.9, indicating "none or low anxiety."(Figure 7).
