Enhancing patient well-being in oncology waiting rooms: a pilot
field experiment on the emotional impact of virtual forest
therapy

J 2024

Enhancing patient well-being in oncology waiting rooms: a pilot field experiment on the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy

HALÁMEK, Filip, Miroslav SVĚTLÁK, Tatiana MALATINCOVÁ, Jana HALÁMKOVÁ, Alena SLEZÁČKOVÁ et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Enhancing patient well-being in oncology waiting rooms: a pilot field experiment on the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy

Authors

HALÁMEK, Filip (203 Czech Republic), Miroslav SVĚTLÁK (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Tatiana MALATINCOVÁ (703 Slovakia, belonging to the institution), Jana HALÁMKOVÁ (203 Czech Republic), Alena SLEZÁČKOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Zdeňka BAREŠOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution) and Monika LEKÁROVÁ (703 Slovakia, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Frontiers in Psychology, LAUSANNE, FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2024, 1664-1078

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

50101 Psychology

Country of publisher

Switzerland

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 3.800 in 2022

Organization unit

Faculty of Medicine

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392397

UT WoS

001230417200001

Keywords in English

psycho-oncology; forest therapy; emotional well-being; stress reduction; virtual waiting room; valence; arousal

Abstract

V originále

Introduction: This study explores the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy delivered through audio-visual recordings shown to patients in the oncology waiting rooms, focusing on whether simulated forest walks can positively influence patients’ emotional states compared to traditional waiting room stimuli. Methods: The study involved 117 participants from a diverse group of oncology patients in the outpatient clinic waiting room at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute. Using a partially randomized controlled trial design, the study assessed basic emotional dimensions—valence and arousal—as well as specific psychological states such as thought control, sadness, anxiety, and pain. This assessment used the Self-Assessment Manikin and the modified Emotional Thermometer before and after participants watched three video types (forest, sea, news). Baseline stress levels were measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Results: Participants exposed to forest and sea videos reported significant improvements in emotional valence and reduced arousal, suggesting a calming and uplifting effect. No significant changes were observed in the control and news groups. Secondary outcomes related to anxiety, sadness, and pain showed no significant interaction effects, though small but significant main effects of time on these variables were noted. Discussion: The findings suggest that videos of forest and sea can be a beneficial intervention in the oncology waiting rooms by enhancing patients’ emotional well-being. This pilot study underscores the potential for integrating virtual mental health support elements into healthcare settings to improve patient care experience.

Links

MUNI/A/1494/2023, interní kód MU

Name: Pokračování studie zabývající se účinností a vhodností mobilní aplikace MindCare na duševní a tělesné zdraví onkologicky nemocných: randomizovaná kontrolovaná studie

Investor: Masaryk University, Follow-up study on the efficacy and suitability of the MindCare mobile app on the mental and physical health of cancer patients: a randomised controlled trial

NU21-09-00558, research and development project

Name: Vliv řízené pohybové aktivity na dysbalanci autonomního nervového systému, imunitního systému a sníženou zdravotní zdatnost u onkologických pacientů po adjuvantní chemoterapii.

Investor: Ministry of Health of the CR, Subprogram 1 - standard

NU22-09-00056, research and development project

Name: Ověření účinnosti eHealth mobilní aplikace na podporu duševního zdraví při snižování stresu a prevenci stresem navozených změn psycho-neuroendokrino-imunologické sítě u pacientek s nádorem prsu po ukončené adjuvantní chemoterapii (Acronym: MOU-MindCare)

Investor: Ministry of Health of the CR, Subprogram 1 - standard

Citovat

HALÁMEK, Filip, Miroslav SVĚTLÁK, Tatiana MALATINCOVÁ, Jana HALÁMKOVÁ, Alena SLEZÁČKOVÁ, Zdeňka BAREŠOVÁ and Monika LEKÁROVÁ. Enhancing patient well-being in oncology waiting rooms: a pilot field experiment on the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy. Frontiers in Psychology. LAUSANNE: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2024, vol. 15, May 2024, p. 1-13. ISSN 1664-1078. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392397.

@article{2401197,
   author = {Halámek, Filip and Světlák, Miroslav and Malatincová, Tatiana and Halámková, Jana and Slezáčková, Alena and Barešová, Zdeňka and Lekárová, Monika},
   article_location = {LAUSANNE},
   article_number = {May 2024},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392397},
   keywords = {psycho-oncology; forest therapy; emotional well-being; stress reduction; virtual waiting room; valence; arousal},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {1664-1078},
   journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
   title = {Enhancing patient well-being in oncology waiting rooms: a pilot field experiment on the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy},
   url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392397/full},
   volume = {15},
   year = {2024}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2401197
AU  - Halámek, Filip - Světlák, Miroslav - Malatincová, Tatiana - Halámková, Jana - Slezáčková, Alena - Barešová, Zdeňka - Lekárová, Monika
PY  - 2024
TI  - Enhancing patient well-being in oncology waiting rooms: a pilot field experiment on the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy
JF  - Frontiers in Psychology
VL  - 15
IS  - May 2024
SP  - 1-13
EP  - 1-13
PB  - FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
SN  - 16641078
KW  - psycho-oncology
KW  - forest therapy
KW  - emotional well-being
KW  - stress reduction
KW  - virtual waiting room
KW  - valence
KW  - arousal
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392397/full
N2  - Introduction: This study explores the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy delivered through audio-visual recordings shown to patients in the oncology waiting rooms, focusing on whether simulated forest walks can positively influence patients’ emotional states compared to traditional waiting room stimuli. Methods: The study involved 117 participants from a diverse group of oncology patients in the outpatient clinic waiting room at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute. Using a partially randomized controlled trial design, the study assessed basic emotional dimensions—valence and arousal—as well as specific psychological states such as thought control, sadness, anxiety, and pain. This assessment used the Self-Assessment Manikin and the modified Emotional Thermometer before and after participants watched three video types (forest, sea, news). Baseline stress levels were measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Results: Participants exposed to forest and sea videos reported significant improvements in emotional valence and reduced arousal, suggesting a calming and uplifting effect. No significant changes were observed in the control and news groups. Secondary outcomes related to anxiety, sadness, and pain showed no significant interaction effects, though small but significant main effects of time on these variables were noted. Discussion: The findings suggest that videos of forest and sea can be a beneficial intervention in the oncology waiting rooms by enhancing patients’ emotional well-being. This pilot study underscores the potential for integrating virtual mental health support elements into healthcare settings to improve patient care experience.
ER  -

HALÁMEK, Filip, Miroslav SVĚTLÁK, Tatiana MALATINCOVÁ, Jana HALÁMKOVÁ, Alena SLEZÁČKOVÁ, Zdeňka BAREŠOVÁ and Monika LEKÁROVÁ. Enhancing patient well-being in oncology waiting rooms: a pilot field experiment on the emotional impact of virtual forest therapy. \textit{Frontiers in Psychology}. LAUSANNE: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2024, vol.~15, May 2024, p.~1-13. ISSN~1664-1078. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392397.

Detailed Information on Publication Record