Effects of nature-based intervention in the treatment of depression: A multi-center, randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This research investigated the effects of a nature-based treatment on participants diagnosed with depression. <br/>Participants (N = 136) were randomized into nature-based (n = 59) or standard care-only (n = 77) groups. The <br/>participants in the nature-based group were offered 12 nature-based sessions once a week in addition to standard <br/>care. The participants in the nature-based group were on average 45.0 years (range 22–64 years) and participants <br/>in the standard-care only were on average 45.4 years (range 19–64 years). The nature-based groups took place in <br/>five towns across Finland. The observed effects of the intervention on participants in the nature-based group, <br/>when compared to the participants who received standard care only, included a greater decrease in psychological <br/>distress (p < .05) and an increase in restorative experiences (p < .01) as well as in the self-reported ability to <br/>work/study but only at post-measurement (p < .05). Nature sessions produced restorative experiences that <br/>mediated the decrease in depression. The depression scores of participants in both groups reduced significantly <br/>and no differences were observed between the groups. Thus, nature-based intervention can be a safe and <br/>beneficial form of short-term group treatment for depression in addition to standard care.