RESEARCH

Indoor Nature Interventions for Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults in Residential Settings: A Systematic Review

This systematic review evaluates the impact of indoor nature interventions—both real and simulated—on the health and well-being of older adults in residential care settings.
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Summary

The study analyzed 26 quantitative studies involving 930 participants aged 60 and older to assess the effectiveness of indoor nature interventions, such as indoor gardening, nature art, aquariums, and virtual nature experiences. Findings suggest that interventions involving real nature, such as indoor gardening and horticultural therapy, had positive effects on cognition, psychological well-being, social engagement, and quality of life. However, evidence was inconsistent for passive interventions like nature images or videos, which sometimes improved mood but lacked strong effects on clinical outcomes such as anxiety or depression.

Despite promising results, the study highlights limitations in existing research, including small sample sizes, high risk of bias in many studies, and a lack of standardized outcome measures. The authors recommend further high-quality studies to better understand the mechanisms behind nature’s benefits in indoor settings. While indoor nature exposure may not fully replace outdoor experiences, it has potential as a practical, accessible intervention for improving well-being in older adults who face mobility or accessibility challenges.

Link

Yeo, N. L., Elliott, L. R., Bethel, A., White, M. P., Dean, S. G., & Garside, R. (2019). Indoor nature Interventions for Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults in Residential Settings: A Systematic review. The Gerontologist, 60(3), e184–e199.

 

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