The Wildman Programme – Experiences from a first implementation of a nature-based intervention designed for men with stress and chronic illnesses

Integrating environmental physiotherapy into New Zealand undergraduate education: exploring current practice

This paper describes the integration of environmental physiotherapy education into the physiotherapy curriculum in a New Zealand university in response to the environmental physiotherapy agenda and the University of Otago Sustainability Framework. We describe and discuss three learning activities, the associated challenges and lessons learnt, and the current position. Given the encompassing nature of environmental and health interactions, we aimed for multilayer immersive experiences using a range of pedagogical approaches. The first learning activity example exemplifies embracing and threading Aotearoa New Zealand's indigenous knowledge and practices throughout our BPhty curriculum. The second example demonstrates how environmental physiotherapy can be made explicit within a delineated learning activity. In the third example, we describe a clinical placement learning activity that occurred in our student-led private practice. Recent full accreditation of the curriculum by the New Zealand Registration Board and positive student evaluations and feedback demonstrate that this integrated holistic curriculum is both acceptable and enjoyable. Frequent and rapid curriculum modifications in response to the COVID19 Global pandemic's impact on teaching and learning have however prevented full formal curriculum evaluation at this stage. We envisage that this educational approach be an ongoing process of review and restructure. Aligned with global trends toward sustainability in healthcare, our goal is to prepare students to address the growing environmental influences on public health. By integrating environmental physiotherapy philosophy into the undergraduate physiotherapy curriculum, we aim to develop holistic healthcare perspectives in students that will strengthen future physiotherapy practice in New Zealand and internationally.

Greenspaces and Health: Scoping Review of studies in Europe

Objectives

Access to greenspaces and contact with nature can promote physical activity and have positive effects on physical and mental health. This scoping literature review aims to examine current evidence linking greenspaces and (a) behaviour change, (b) health outcomes and (c) co-benefits.

Methods

This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA scoping review guidelines. Searches were conducted through PubMed and EMBASE databases for studies published between 2000 and March 2023 with a focus on Europe.

Results

122 scientific articles and grey literature reports were identified. Access to greenspaces is positively associated with physical and mental health, and reduced risk of all-cause mortality and some non-communicable diseases. Greenspace quality is associated with increased physical activity and reduced risk of obesity. Nature-based therapies or green prescription are effective in improving mental health outcomes and overall health. Importantly, numerous co-benefits of greenspaces are identified.

Conclusion

Increasing access to greenspaces for populations with particular attention to greenspace quality is important for co-benefits. Responsible governance and use of greenspaces are crucial to minimize public health risks and human disturbance of nature.

Nature-Based Therapy in Individuals with Mental Health Disorders, with a Focus on Mental Well-Being and Connectedness to Nature-A Pilot Study

In times of social and ecological crises, such as COVID-19 with lockdowns and implementing the impact of climate change, mental health degrades. Being outdoors in nature can be health-promoting, can decrease depression, and increase mental well-being. This pilot study investigated the relationships between nature-based therapy, mental health, and individuals' connectedness to nature. We hypothesize that nature-based therapy has a positive impact on individual mental health and connectedness to nature. A mixed-method approach was used to evaluate the effectiveness of nature-based therapy for young psychosomatic patients. The results demonstrated improvements in mental well-being and connectedness to nature through therapy. Additionally, depression scores decreased. Patients reported the importance of the therapist setting the space, the supportive environment, the poems that fostered the nature connection, improvement at the soul level, and overall doing something meaningful. Every patient experienced nature-based therapy as effective. To conclude, the study gives a first insight into the processes of nature-based therapy in the German population at work and the effectiveness of nature-based therapy. Further questions, e.g., season effects, longitudinal effects, and whether patients with low connectedness to nature gain more out of the intervention remain unanswered.

Can Rehabilitation in Nature Improve Self-Perceived Interpersonal Problems? A Matched-Control Study

Self-perceived interpersonal problems are of central concern for researchers and individuals; they are at the basis of psychopathology and cause for subjective distress. In this study, we examine whether a group-based rehabilitation program in nature may reduce self-perceived interpersonal problems in a heterogeneous group of men declining participation in traditional rehabilitation offers. The intervention consisted of weekly meetings in nature, taking place over the course of nine weeks. Through a matched-control study including 114 participants in the intervention group and 39 in a treatment as usual group participating in traditional rehabilitation offers, we found that there was no statistically significant development in self-perceived interpersonal problems in the nature-based rehabilitation offer. Though promising with regards to a number of mental challenges, including relational challenges, nature-based group-rehabilitation may require a more elaborate and thoroughgoing intervention, including e.g., a therapist and more time to be an effective intervention against interpersonal problems. We conclude that perhaps due to the fundamental aspect of self-perceived interpersonal problems, exposure to nature, and being in a group of men in a similar situation for the duration that this intervention lasted, may not be enough to address such underlying perceptions of self.