RESEARCH

The Cost Effectiveness of Ecotherapy as a Healthcare Intervention, Separating the Wood from the Trees

Examining the results synthesized by the review, three main themes emerged: categories of nature-based therapies, benefits of nature-based therapies, and that the gains from nature-based therapies are not universal. Evidence from the reviewed literature consistently reported physiological benefits, such as a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: Dementia/Traumatic & Acquired Brain Injuries, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, General Population, Addiction/Substance Use Disorders

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

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Improved Physical Health, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Greater Job Readiness & Vocational Skills, Decreased Need for Pain Medication, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Behavioral Therapy, Social Work, Forest/Ecotherapy

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

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

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

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Summary

The study’s design is an integrative review of existing academic literature concerning nature-based therapies (NBTs). The purpose of this review was to identify commonly used NBTs, the populations or “cohorts” that benefit from these interventions, and their potential environmental impact. This research is important as it synthesizes evidence on the benefits of NBTs across various contexts and populations, while specifically addressing the notable lack of empirical evidence on the benefits of NBTs for the natural environment itself. The review also aimed to provide insights into the practical implications of NBTs for occupational therapy practice, using an occupational performance lens.

The methodology involved a systematic search of 18 databases between 2011 and 2021, resulting in the inclusion of 25 peer-reviewed papers encompassing quantitative, qualitative, mixed-method studies, and theoretical/opinion pieces. These papers were analyzed and synthesized using thematic analysis to identify patterns in reported findings. A variety of NBTs were covered, including horticulture therapy, forest therapy, and nature-related crafts, utilized with diverse groups such as individuals with mental health conditions, oncology patients, elderly adults, children, and prisoners. Acknowledging the different methodologies and evidence levels across the included studies was a key challenge and a limitation of this integrative approach.

Link

Hinde, S., Bojke, L., & Coventry, P. (2021). The cost effectiveness of ecotherapy as a healthcare intervention, separating the wood from the trees. Int J Environ Res Public Health., 18, 11599

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