Nature-based interventions: a systematic review of reviews

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Public Health
• Therapeutic Modalities

Background:

• Nature-based interventions (NBIs) are increasingly recognized as complementary therapeutic strategies for mental and physical health.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the variety and classification of NBIs available for healthcare professionals.
• This review addresses the need to categorize existing NBIs and explore factors affecting their efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically classify and categorize the diverse range of existing Nature-based Interventions (NBIs).
• To identify and explore mediating and moderating factors that influence the effectiveness of NBIs.
• To provide a comprehensive overview for healthcare professionals and researchers.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of reviews was conducted using a narrative synthesis approach, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Searches were performed across five major databases (Academic Search Complete, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, MEDLINE).
• Peer-reviewed English articles on NBIs (excluding animal-based) were included, with quality assessed using AMSTAR-2.

Main Results:

• The review encompassed 61 reviews, identifying 13 distinct categories of NBIs, including horticulture, forest therapy, green exercise, and blue space interventions.
• Eleven key factors influencing NBI effectiveness were identified: social, physical activity, age, nature connectedness, duration/frequency, gender, symptom severity, environment type, participant motivation, challenge confrontation, and autonomy.
• A wide array of accessible and cost-effective NBIs were documented.

Conclusions:

• Nature-based interventions present a broad spectrum of accessible and cost-effective options for individuals and healthcare providers.
• The identified moderating and mediating factors provide crucial insights for optimizing NBI evaluation and implementation.
• This classification and factor analysis will guide future research, clinical practice, and policy development in nature-based health solutions.