RESEARCH

Measuring Nature-Based Health Interventions – A Rapid Review of Instrumentation and Outcomes

The result is that while nature-based health interventions are being used for a wide range of health conditions, there is a need for more research on how to best measure their effectiveness, particularly using tools designed specifically for these interventions. Future research should explore how nature-based measurement tools can be used most effectively in different setting.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Military/Veterans, Physical Disabilities, Chronic/Acute Health Conditions

Setting or Context: Community Gardens, Residential Programs, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Improved Quality of Life

Allied Profession Intersections: Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Counselling, Forest/Ecotherapy

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Outdoor Gardening, Forest/Natural Area Immersion, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes

Access: Free

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Summary

This study looked at how nature-based activities are being used to help people with different health issues, both physical and mental. The researchers wanted to see what kinds of activities are being used, who is participating in them, what health areas are being targeted, and how the effectiveness of these activities is being measured. To do this, they reviewed a large number of research articles published between 2010 and 2020, focusing on studies that used specific tools to measure health outcomes related to nature-based activities. They looked at different natural settings like gardens, water areas, city green spaces, wild nature, and camps.

The review found that most of the research focused on how nature-based activities can improve mental health, though physical health and healthy eating were also examined. These activities took place in various settings and involved different groups of people, from children to older adults. A large number of different tools were used to measure the impact of these activities, but only a small fraction of these tools were specifically designed to assess nature-based interventions. The most common settings for these studies were urban green spaces, gardens, and camps.

Link

Reis, A., Gray, T., Mann, J. et al. (2023). Measuring nature-based health interventions–a rapid review of instrumentation and outcomes. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 1, 130.

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