The Effect of Nature-Based Adventure Interventions on Depression

A Systematic Review

Bibliographic Data

ID21314743
AuthorsClaudio D Rosa (0000-0002-1939-2716, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz), Talisson S Chaves (Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil), Silvia Collado (0000-0002-3905-0617, Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Saragossa, Teruel, Spain), Lincoln R Larson (0000-0001-9591-1269, North Carolina State University), Christiana C Profice (Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz)
Year2023
Volume55
Issue3
Pages140-174
Publication date2023-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironment and Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0013-9165 • E-ISSN: 1552-390X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00139165231174615
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited57

We conducted a systematic review to synthesize evidence of the effect of nature-based adventure (NBA) interventions on depressive symptoms. Our search was conducted in April 2021 and utilized the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov. Forty-two studies ( n = 2,689 participants) with different designs, published between 1979 and 2021, were included. Collectively, results suggest highly variable effects of NBA interventions on depressive symptoms, ranging from reductions in mean depression scores of up to 64% to increases in means scores of up to 18%. Patient adherence to interventions was also variable, and serious adverse events (e.g., leg fractures) did occur. Despite variability across studies, research generally showed that mountain-based and surfing interventions, coupled with other forms of care, may substantially reduce adults’ depressive symptoms more than usual care alone or no intervention, highlighting the potential benefits of some NBA activities for individuals experiencing depressive symptoms

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