Effects of urban forest-based intervention on sarcopenia prevention, depression, and quality of life in older adult women: A randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to determine the effect of an intervention for sarcopenia prevention using urban forest resources on sarcopenia, depression, and quality of life in community-dwelling older adult women aged ≥65 years. Older adult women (n = 59) were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 30), who participated in a forest-based intervention for sarcopenia prevention for older adults conducted twice a week for 8 weeks (16 sessions in total) and the control group (n = 29), who maintained their daily routine. We examined the sarcopenia indicators and psychological changes between the groups according to the participation duration and found significant changes in the 5-time chair stand test (p = 0.046) and general health (p = 0.044) among the quality of life items in the short physical performance battery. Pre- and post-analyses in the experimental group showed a significant increase in appendicular skeletal muscle mass (z = -2.88, p < 0.001), right calf circumference (z = -3.59, p < 0.001), left calf circumference (t = -4.94, p < 0.001), and energy/fatigue (t = -3.25, p = 0.003) among the quality of life items. They also showed improved performance on the 5-time chair stand test (z = -4.33, p < 0.001) and significantly reduced geriatric depression (t = 3.13, p = 0.002). The forest-based intervention for sarcopenia prevention improved physical function and psychological well-being in older adult women.