Nature’s Role in Outdoor Therapies: An Umbrella Review

• Main Authors: Nevin J. Harper, Carina R. Fernee, Leiv E. Gabrielsen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: umbrella review; nature; therapy; outdoor therapies; health
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/10/5117

<i>Objective:</i> To report on the role of nature in outdoor therapies through review and summary of existing systematic and meta-analytic reviews in an effort to articulate a theoretical framework for practice. <i>Materials and methods:</i> An umbrella review was conducted following systematic protocols PRISMA guidelines. <i>Results:</i> Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and represented five self-identified approaches: nature-based therapies, forest therapy, horticultural therapy, wilderness therapy, and adventure therapy. Clear and comprehensive descriptions of theory, program structure, and activity details with causal links to outcomes were mostly absent. <i>Conclusions:</i> A rigorous and determined program of research is required in order to explicit in-depth theories of change in outdoor therapies. Conversely, or maybe concurrently, a holistic theory of integrated relatedness may be developed as a parallel expression of support for nature in therapy while the explanatory science catches up.