RESEARCH

Nature-Based Therapeutics: A Collaborative Research Agenda Promoting Equitable Access and Environmental Stewardship

The authors emphasize that nature-based therapeutics appear to be a low-cost and safe way to improve health and well-being. Their research agenda prioritizes understanding how to effectively integrate current evidence into practice and how to increase equitable access to nature for all populations.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: General Population

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings, Public/Botanical Gardens, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Increased Horticultural Knowledge

Allied Profession Intersections: Education, Nursing

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Environmental Education, Forest/Natural Area Immersion

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

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

Access: Free

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Summary

This research paper discusses how using nature to promote health and wellness is becoming increasingly important, especially given the social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and people spending more time indoors. The authors point out that connecting with nature has many known benefits for our minds and bodies. To understand how to best use these benefits, a team of nurses developed a research plan called RxPLORE TM. This plan involves looking at existing research on nature-based therapies and figuring out how to put that knowledge into practice to help people, particularly children and families. The authors also want to identify gaps in what we know and find better ways to measure the positive effects of nature on health. This paper itself is an integrative review, meaning it looks at a wide range of existing studies to lay the groundwork for this future research.

The RxPLORE TM research plan has two main parts: translational research and exploratory research. Translational research focuses on taking what we already know about the health benefits of nature and creating practical tools and programs that nurses and communities can use. For example, they plan to create a “nature discovery and restoration toolkit”. This part also emphasizes working with communities to make sure everyone has fair access to nature and green spaces. Exploratory research aims to dig deeper and answer questions we don’t yet have good answers for. This includes studying how nature affects things like vital signs, stress hormones (cortisol), and even the tiny organisms living on our skin and in our bodies (microbiome). The ultimate goal of this research is to promote both human health and environmental stewardship.

Link

Alexander, G.K., & Brooks, V. (2022). Nature-based therapeutics: A collaborative research agenda promoting equitable access and environmental stewardship. Collegian, 29(1), 119-124

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