RESEARCH

Nature-Based Interventions for Physical Health Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The meta-analysis of 15 studies revealed that Nature-Based Interventions significantly improve physical health by enhancing quality of life and reducing blood pressure and body mass index. Overall, the study highlights the positive impact of nature exposure on various health markers.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Chronic/Acute Health Conditions, Older Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Dementia/Traumatic & Acquired Brain Injuries, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Rehabilitation, Physical Disabilities

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics, Rehabilitation Centers, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Improved Mental Health, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Stress Management, Improved Physical Health, Improved Balance, Increase in Standing or Walking Tolerance

Allied Profession Intersections: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Forest/Natural Area Immersion, AI/Digital Tools in Therapeutic Horticulture

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

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

Access: Free

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Summary

This research focuses on reviewing and analyzing studies related to Nature-Based Interventions (NBIs) for health. The researchers searched for peer-reviewed articles on this topic from various databases up until June 2024. They screened these articles to remove any irrelevant ones and included studies that were randomized controlled trials comparing NBIs. The main focus was on physical health outcomes such as quality of life, blood pressure, body mass index, and several biomarkers like oxidative stress and neuropeptides.

After a thorough screening and selection process, a total of 26 studies were identified. Out of these, 15 studies provided enough data to be included in a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis aimed to combine the findings from these studies to draw more robust conclusions. The results showed significant physical health benefits from NBIs, including improvements in quality of life and reductions in blood pressure and body mass index.

Link

Struthers, NA., Guluzade, NA., Zecevic, AA. et al. (2024). Nature-based interventions for physical health conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Res., 258, 119421

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