RESEARCH
Effect of Nature Prescriptions on Cardiometabolic and Mental Health, and Physical Activity: A Systematic Review
Summary
The study synthesizes findings from 92 studies, including randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, to assess the impact of nature prescriptions—structured recommendations by health or social professionals to spend time in nature. Results indicate significant mental health benefits, with moderate-to-large reductions in depression (-0.50 SMD) and anxiety (-0.57 SMD) post-intervention. Cardiometabolic improvements include reductions in systolic (-4.82 mmHg) and diastolic (-3.82 mmHg) blood pressure. Nature prescriptions also led to a notable increase in daily step counts (+900 steps on average) but had mixed effects on weekly moderate physical activity.
Subgroup analyses reveal that nature prescriptions facilitated by social professionals were more effective for mental health, while those led by health professionals had a stronger impact on blood pressure and physical activity. The study highlights the importance of structured nature-based interventions in healthcare and social services, advocating for their integration into public health strategies. Future research should focus on optimizing program design and addressing methodological limitations, including bias and small sample sizes, to further validate the effectiveness of nature prescriptions.
