Occupational therapists and physiotherapists experiences of using nature-based rehabilitation

Nature-based rehabilitation (NBR) is increasingly used within neurorehabilitation. The theoretical base is rooted in traditional neurorehabilitation professions, especially physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and relate to nature-based approaches.Objective: The objective was to explore the therapists' experiences of and rationale for applying NBR in neurorehabilitation when providing NBR to patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). Patients with ABI often experience severe consequences impacting their rehabilitation, activity, participation and quality of life.

Qualitative focus group interviews with therapists were conducted at two Danish rehabilitation hospitals, Hammel Neurorehabilitation and Research Center (HNRC) (Hospital 1) and Vejlefjord Rehabilitation (VFR) (Hospital 2). These are highly specialized neurorehabilitation hospitals for patients in the acute-subacute and subacute-chronic phases. HNRC has several sensory gardens and VFR has a park and an inlet nearby. Content analysis was employed to analyze the interviews.

An occupational perspective of health was a frame to analyze and conceptualize the results. The analysis produced two main categories: What does nature offer - approach and rationale; Therapeutic rationale for conducting NBR.

The therapists applied known theories and methods; they perceived the natural environment as an extended room for training and activity, as a means for targeted rehabilitation and beneficial to the patients.