RESEARCH
The Benefits of Nature-Based Therapy for the Individual and the Environment: An Integrative Review
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.
