| Title: | Effects of Plant-Emitted Monoterpenes on Anxiety Symptoms: A Propensity-Matched Observational Cohort Study |
| Author(s): | Donelli D; Meneguzzo F; Antonelli M; Ardissino D; Niccoli G; Gronchi G; Baraldi R; Neri L; Zabini F; |
| Address: | "Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43121 Parma, Italy. Division of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy. Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council, 10 Via Madonna del Piano, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. Central Scientific Committee, Italian Alpine Club, 19 Via E. Petrella, I-20124 Milano, Italy. Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy. Section of Psychology, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child's Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, 12 Via di San Salvi, I-50135 Firenze, Italy" |
| Journal Title: | Int J Environ Res Public Health |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1660-4601 (Electronic) 1661-7827 (Print) 1660-4601 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Immersive experiences in green areas, particularly in forests, have long been known to produce beneficial effects for human health. However, the exact determinants and mechanisms leading to healthy outcomes remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this observational cohort study was to investigate whether inhaling plant-emitted biogenic volatile compounds, namely monoterpenes (MTs), can produce specific effects on anxiety symptoms. Data from 505 subjects participating in 39 structured forest therapy sessions at different Italian sites were collected. The air concentration of monoterpenes was measured at each site. STAI state questionnaires were administered before and after the sessions as a measure of anxiety. A propensity score matching analysis was then performed, considering an above-average exposure to inhalable air MTs as the treatment. The estimated effect was -1.28 STAI-S points (95% C.I. -2.51 to -0.06, p = 0.04), indicating that the average effect of exposure to high MT air concentrations during forest therapy sessions was to decrease anxiety symptoms" |
| Keywords: | Humans Monoterpenes/analysis *Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis *Air Pollutants/analysis Plants Anxiety biogenic volatile organic compounds forest therapy monoterpenes propensity matching alpha-pinene;neuroscience; |
| Notes: | "MedlineDonelli, Davide Meneguzzo, Francesco Antonelli, Michele Ardissino, Diego Niccoli, Giampaolo Gronchi, Giorgio Baraldi, Rita Neri, Luisa Zabini, Federica eng DG1079776 of 03.21.2022/University of Udine (project FORTER, funded by INTERREG V-A IT-A CLLD-HEurOpen)/ 2957 of 06.14.2021/L'Ovile Cooperativa di Solidarieta Sociale SCRL (Project RE.in.VENTA, funded by Fondazione Pietro Manodori)/ 1990 of 04.25.2021/Acqua & Terme Fiuggi S.p.A./ 5610 of 11.23.2021/Consorzio Melinda S.c.a./ grant number 142 of 12.09.2021/Comune di Vaglia (FI)/ Observational Study Switzerland 2023/02/26 Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 4; 20(4):2773. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20042773" |
