穿戴式裝置適用於大台北郊區森林浴之心血管健康效益

Abstract

都市化造成的高壓生活已成為現代社會健康隱患，其所引發的心血管疾病風險日益受到重視。而由日本興起的森林醫學（Forest medicine），主張以醫學實證方式，驗證接觸自然環境達到的身心療癒效益，已逐漸受到醫學與公共衛生領域的關注。過去研究顯示，森林中的芬多精與負離子具有穩定自主神經、降低壓力與血壓的潛在作用。然而，臺灣目前對於森林浴中自然因子與生理健康效益間的關聯性實證仍屬初步階段，缺乏結合現地生理監測與空氣成分分析的在地實證研究。 本研究以大臺北地區兩處國家森林遊樂區—內洞與滿月圓做為實驗場域，針對來自都市的受試者，於9至12月進行4次的秋冬兩季森林浴活動，記錄前、中、後的生理參數。總計招募了102人次，年齡介於21至79歲，涵蓋有高血壓、高膽固醇等慢性病風險族群。利用穿戴式運動手錶與攜帶式血壓計、血氧計、耳溫槍等不同儀器，收集收縮壓、舒張壓、心率、血氧飽和濃度與耳溫等生理指標。同時於兩園區的步道之起點、中段與瀑布區，即時採樣記錄負離子濃度、溫濕度與芬多精組成分。 結果顯示，攜帶式儀器測得4次活動的收縮壓皆有顯著下降。舒張壓也皆有下降，但僅11月的冬季內洞達顯著差異。11月冬季內洞表現出最明顯的血壓改善效益。森林浴後耳溫皆會下降。血氧濃度在爬坡過度會略為下降，後明顯回升。 運動手錶方面，測得收縮壓亦呈下降趨勢，但僅冬季達顯著差異。舒張壓爬坡時會先上升，後下降，整體效果未顯著。心率則於爬坡段顯著上升、瀑布段後顯著下降，呈現先負荷後恢復的心肺反應。血氧濃度則於瀑布點時上升，後則維持一定的基準。兩儀器之間的結果雖略有不同，但變化的生理曲線趨勢表現出一致性。 環境數據方面，兩森林皆測得了較高濃度的β-Pinene (β-蒎烯)、α-Pinene (α-蒎烯)、α-Muurolene (α-依蘭油烯)、Germacrene-D、α-Copaene (α-古巴烯)、α-Terpinyl acetate (α-乙酸松油酯) 等主要芬多精組成分，以及其他少量的近30種化合物種類。內洞的芬多精濃度含量明顯高於滿月圓，最高濃度出現在烏紗溪瀑布觀瀑平台、羅好水壩等濕度較低、樹木鬱閉度較低、日照充足與溫度較高等地。滿月圓4個測點的芬多精濃度大致相等，但種類豐富度較內洞來得高。 負離子濃度兩森林皆於瀑布區測得最高峰，內洞上層瀑布達8026個/cm³。滿月圓處女瀑布更達9294個/cm³，明顯高內洞各點。值得注意的是，生理指標改善顯著地點與芬多精與負離子高值區重疊，顯示自然因子極可能為調節心血管健康的關鍵介質。 本研究證實森林浴能在短時間內有效改善心血管相關指標，並成功在北臺灣地區量化芬多精與負離子空間分布，以及與生理效益之關聯。結果支持森林浴可作為血壓管理與壓力調適良方，亦提供都市居民就近親近大自然尋找健康的去處選擇。

Urbanization and modern life stress have become key risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Originating in Japan, forest medicine emphasizes evidence-based assessment of the therapeutic benefits of exposure to natural environments. Previous studies have suggested that forest phytoncides and negative air ions (NAIs) can reduce blood pressure and stabilize autonomic nervous activity. However, empirical studies in Taiwan linking forest-based environmental factors with physiological health benefits remain in their early stages, particularly those integrating in-situ biomonitoring with environmental compound analysis. This study selected two national forest recreation areas in northern Taiwan—Neidong and Manyueyuan—as experimental sites. Forest bathing interventions were conducted over four occasions between September and December, across autumn and winter seasons. A total of 102 urban participants were recruited, aged 21 to 79 years, including individuals with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Physiological data (blood pressure, heart rate, SpO₂, ear temperature) were collected using both wearable smartwatches and portable sphygmomanometers. Concurrently, Environmental data (NAIs, temperature, humidity, and phytoncide composition ) were collected at trailheads, midpoints, and waterfall zones . The results showed that portable devices consistently recorded significant reductions in systolic blood (SBP) across all four sessions. Diastolic pressure (DBP) also decreased in most cases, with statistically significant reductions observed at Neidong in November. This site and timepoint demonstrated the most prominent blood pressure improvement. Ear temperature generally declined after forest bathing. Blood oxygen saturation(SpO₂) slightly decreased during uphill exertion but rebounded significantly post-activity. Wearable devices similarly showed a downward trend in systolic blood pressure, achieving statistical significance only during winter sessions. DBP temporarily rose during climbing stages but returned to baseline afterward, showing no consistent effect. Heart rate increased during uphill phases and significantly dropped in recovery zones near waterfalls, indicating a classic "load–recovery" cardiopulmonary response. SpO₂ levels peaked near waterfalls and remained steady thereafter, although patterns differed slightly between devices. Environmental measurements revealed that both forest sites contained relatively high concentrations of β-pinene, α-pinene, α-terpinyl acetate, germacrene-D, α-copaene, α-muurolene, and β-selinene, along with nearly 30 other trace phytoncides. Neidong consistently showed higher concentrations than Manyueyuan, especially at the Wusha Waterfall Platform and Luohau Dam—areas characterized by lower humidity, reduced canopy density, higher sunlight exposure, and elevated temperatures. Manyueyuan exhibited a more even spatial distribution of concentrations, though with greater species richness. For negative air ions, peak levels were recorded in waterfall zones for both sites, aligning with previous findings that ion density is elevated in high-humidity environments. Neidong’s upper waterfall area reached 8,026 ions/cm³, while Manyueyuan’s Virgin Waterfall peaked at 9,294 ions/cm³, outperforming Neidong across all zones. Notably, sites with the greatest improvements in physiological indicators overlapped with areas showing the highest phytoncide and NAI concentrations, suggesting that these natural components may be key mediators in enhancing cardiovascular health. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that short-term forest bathing can produce measurable improvements in cardiovascular functions, particularly in systolic blood pressure and autonomic recovery. Moreover, it successfully quantifies the spatial distribution of phytoncides and NAIs in northern Taiwan and correlates these findings with health-related biomarkers. These insights support forest bathing as a viable strategy for blood pressure management and stress reduction, offering practical implications for urban dwellers seeking accessible, nature-based interventions for health promotion.