A Study on the Effects of Forest Therapy on Sarcopenia (NCT07632417) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
A Study on the Effects of Forest Therapy on Sarcopenia
Taiwan36 participantsStarted 2026-05-13
Plain-language summary
Purpose: The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of an 8-week Forest Based Intervention program on muscle strength, physical performance, and psychological well-being in older women with sarcopenia.
Duration: The program lasts for 8 weeks, with 2 sessions per week (16 sessions total). Each session is approximately 180 minutes.
Activities: Participants will take part in a structured program at the Caoling Shibi Forest Healing Base in Yunlin. The program includes forest trail walking, resistance training using elastic bands, stretching, and sensory activities such as aromatherapy and deep breathing.
Assessments: Researchers will evaluate physical indicators and psychological well-being before the program, immediately after, and at a 2-month follow-up.
Goal: We hope to determine if combining structured exercise with the forest environment can effectively improve the health and quality of life for older women with sarcopenia.
Who can participate
Age range
55 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Female aged 55 years or older.
* Meet the AWGS 2025 criteria for sarcopenia (low handgrip strength and low skeletal muscle mass index).
* Able to walk independently or with assistive devices and safely participate in low-to-moderate intensity exercise training.
* Willing to commit to the 8-week intervention (16 sessions total) and provide signed informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of major acute illness, hospitalization, or surgery within the past 3 months.
* Severe cardiovascular, respiratory, or other systemic diseases that make moderate-intensity exercise unsafe.
* Severe osteoarticular or neurological disorders that significantly impair walking or exercise safety.
* Severe cognitive impairment that prevents understanding of study procedures or cooperation with the intervention.
* Presence of implanted medical devices (e.g., pacemakers) that would interfere with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
* Regular participation in structured resistance training or high-intensity exercise within the past 3 months.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial is studying 'forest therapy' for sarcopenia — can you explain what forest therapy actually involves physically, and whether my current muscle strength and mobility are at a level where that kind of activity would be safe for me?
2The study is measuring handgrip strength and the Short Physical Performance Battery — how do my own scores on those tests compare to the kinds of participants this trial seems to be targeting, and what does that tell us about where I stand with sarcopenia?
3Since this trial is listed as 'active not recruiting,' it sounds like enrollment is closed — are there similar studies or programs looking at nature-based or low-intensity physical activity for sarcopenia that I might still be able to join?
4This trial doesn't seem to involve medication, just a therapy approach — before considering something like this, should I first focus on standard treatments like resistance training or nutritional support that already have more established evidence behind them?
5Given that this is a Phase NA study, which often means it's exploratory or early-stage, how much would the findings from this kind of trial actually influence the treatment plan you'd recommend for me right now?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.