209 participants
small total sample across all included studies
Exact: n = 209
Eight nature-based intervention studies included a combined total of 209 participants aged 25–91
The systematic review searched Cochrane, CINAHL Plus, and PubMed databases for the period 2012–2023. Eight studies passed inclusion criteria, collectively enrolling 209 participants aged 25 to 91 years. Nature-based interventions studied included horticultural therapy and forest therapy, and outcomes spanned physical, psychosocial, and physiological domains.
Eight intervention studies (total n = 209, age 25–91) met the inclusion criteria.
Related findings
1.52×
Less greenspace linked to higher odds of cases accepted for child protective services
Census blocks with <10% greenspace had 1.52× the odds of a case being accepted for CPS services compared to blocks with >30% greenspace
Yuan He et al., 2024, Child Abuse & Neglect
1.52×
Less greenspace linked to higher odds of substantiated child maltreatment reports
Census blocks with <10% greenspace had 1.52× the odds of a substantiated CPS report compared to blocks with >30% greenspace
Yuan He et al., 2024, Child Abuse & Neglect
16.1%
nature exposure around schools offers the highest financial return of all interventions tested
Nature exposure achieved the highest return on investment at 16.1% with a 6.2-year payback period
Yingjie Li et al., 2026, SSRN Electronic Journal
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