RESEARCH

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nature-Based Mindfulness: Effects of Moving Mindfulness Training into an Outdoor Natural Setting

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of nature-based mindfulness interventions, analyzing 25 studies with 2990 participants by evaluating interventions as open trials, comparing them to non-active controls, and comparing them to similar interventions without nature.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, General Population, Chronic/Acute Health Conditions, Addiction/Substance Use Disorders

Setting or Context: Urban vs. Rural Settings, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function, Improved Physical Health, Improved Sleep Quality

Allied Profession Intersections: Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Outdoor Gardening, Nature-Based Arts & Crafts, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of nature-based mindfulness interventions. Researchers conducted electronic searches to identify 25 relevant studies, encompassing 2990 participants. They analyzed the data in three ways: evaluating nature-based mindfulness interventions as open trials, comparing them to non-active control groups, and comparing them to similar interventions without nature contact.

The meta-analyses revealed a statistically significant and medium-sized overall positive effect (g = 0.54, p < 0.001) on psychological, physiological, and interpersonal outcomes from pre- to post-intervention. Moderation analyses indicated that interventions in forests/wild nature had larger effects than those in gardens/parks, and informal mindfulness showed larger effects than formal mindfulness. However, the authors noted the limitations of the small number of studies, heterogeneity, and generally low quality of the included studies, which should be considered when interpreting the results.

Link

Djernis, D., Lerstrup, I., Poulsen, D. et al. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of nature- based mindfulness: Effects of moving mindfulness training into an outdoor natural setting. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(17), 3202.

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