RESEARCH

Nature-Assisted Therapy: Systematic Review of Controlled and Observational Studies

This review of studies indicates that nature-assisted therapy shows promise for improving various health outcomes in people with diverse conditions, from mental disorders to physical ailments. However, more high-quality research is needed to strengthen the evidence and understand the specific benefits of different types of nature-based interventions.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Chronic/Acute Health Conditions, Caregivers/Healthcare Professionals

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics, Rehabilitation Centers, Community Gardens, 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, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Longevity & Aging Well

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

Type of Activity: Nature-Based Arts & Crafts, Environmental Education, Forest/Natural Area Immersion, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews, Observational Research, Randomized Controlled Trials, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health, Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness, Longitudinal Studies

Access: Paid

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Summary

This paper is a review of existing research on something called nature-assisted therapy (NAT). NAT is basically using nature, like plants and outdoor spaces, to help people who are sick or have health problems. The authors looked at many different studies to see if NAT really works for treating diseases and improving health. They wanted to find out what kinds of natural environments and activities are helpful, for what types of patients and conditions, and in what situations NAT might be best.

The review found that there is evidence suggesting NAT can be effective for a variety of health issues. Many studies reported improvements in different areas, including people’s mood, stress levels, attention, and social skills, and for conditions ranging from mental health problems like schizophrenia to physical issues like obesity. The types of NAT studied included working with gardens (horticultural therapy) and programs in natural environments like wilderness therapy. While the authors noted that the quality of the studies wasn’t always the same, they concluded that NAT appears to be a useful tool for public health, and they suggested that more research should be done to better understand how and why it works.

Link

van den Bosch, Matilda & Währborg, Peter. (2011). Nature-assisted therapy: Systematic review of controlled and observational studies. Scandinavian journal of public health. 39. 371-88. 10.1177/1403494810396400.

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