A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis of Forest Therapy Research: Investigating the Impact of Forest Environments on Human Physiological and Psychological Well-Being

Authors

  • Wei Hong

    International College, Krirk University, Bangkok 10220, Thailand
  • Siyu Zhu

    Jinshen College of Nanjing Audit University, Nanjing 210000, China
  • Donghui Lu

    School of Economics and Management, Guangdong Technology College, Zhaoqin 526000, China
  • Chiowa Ieong

    Dragon Seal Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area Investment and Development Company, Macao SAR 999078, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i5.8996
Received: 7 March 2025 | Revised: 27 March 2025 | Accepted: 2 April 2025 | Published Online: 13 May 2025

Abstract

Human interaction with natural environments is gaining increasing attention in environmental sciences as research consistently shows that access to green spaces, clean air, and biodiversity plays a crucial role in enhancing physical health, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being. This study conducts a bibliometric and visualization-based analysis of forest therapy research, emphasizing its physiological and psychological benefits. Using the Web of Science database, we identified and analyzed 414 studies from 1998 to 2023. Through CiteSpace and VOSviewer, we mapped these documents to examine research trends, publication networks, leading scholars and institutions, key journals, and thematic evolution. Findings indicate that forest therapy research is predominantly concentrated in East Asia, North America, Australia, and Europe, with strong collaborative networks among authors and institutions. The concentration of publications, research evolution, and keyword trends reflect the development of forest therapy research. The analysis further identifies sixteen research clusters and discusses two research themes: physiological and psychological effects. By analyzing how the natural environment contributes to human well-being, we provide a comprehensive and visually structured understanding of forest therapy as an intersection of environmental science, public health and well-being, and ecosystem conservation. Our findings offer a new perspective for future interdisciplinary research, emphasizing the need for well-designed clinical trials to substantiate forest therapy’s diverse health effects and its role in promoting sustainable interactions between human societies and natural environments.

Keywords:

Forest Therapy; CiteSpace; VOSviewer; Environment Science

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How to Cite

Hong, W., Zhu, S., Lu, D., & Ieong, C. (2025). A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis of Forest Therapy Research: Investigating the Impact of Forest Environments on Human Physiological and Psychological Well-Being. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 7(5), 434–452. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i5.8996

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 5 (May 2025)

Article Type

Review

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Copyright © 2025 Wei Hong, Siyu Zhu, Donghui Lu, Chiowa Ieong

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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