Therapeutic Design
Category: Children, cognitive health, mental health, physical health, therapeutic design
Title: Nature as a healer for autistic children (2019)
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2018.10.014
Summary: This paper focuses on investigating the potential health and well-being advantages of engaging children with autism in nature. Guidelines for a sensory garden are provided, along with exploration of cognitive, mental and physical benefits of connecting with nature. Practical design elements are examined, along with a sight plan to demonstrate these principles in practice.
Category: Older Adults, therapeutic design
Title: Indoor Nature Interventions for Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults in Residential Settings: A Systematic Review (2020)
Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz019
Summary: Most studies examine therapeutic horticulture outdoors; however, this review examines the potential health benefits of indoor gardening for older adults. Whilst the review finds inconsistent health benefits between studies it does highlight several factors which successful programs may support. Namely, supporting groups to interact socially, and individuals to feel in control of their experiences and to learn skills.
Category: Veterans, Therapeutic Design
Title: Evaluation of Military Service Member Preferences of Landscape Design Elements in Therapeutic Gardens (2024)
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/5/658
Summary: This study explored therapeutic garden design for the specific target population of veterans. 366 people responded to the online questionnaire, with clear differences in design preferences between military service members and civilians. Both like clear walkways, good lighting and natural views in a garden. However, military service members strongly prefer fences, gates and views that provide privacy, whilst having a clear line of sight to aid sense of safety. These insights can help urban planners and landscapers design green spaces that better meet the needs of specific groups, highlighting the importance of creating inclusive environments.
Category: Connecting to Nature; Therapeutic Design; Green Social Prescribing
Title: Community gardens as psychosocial interventions for refugees and migrants: a narrative review (2023)
Link: Community gardens as psychosocial interventions for refugees and migrants: a narrative review – ScienceOpen
Summary: A narrative review that explored the psychosocial outcomes of community gardens for refugees and migrants, analysing 17 peer-reviewed and 4 grey literature articles. The study identified four key themes: improved continuity and adaptation, enhanced social connectedness, overall wellbeing, and increased sense of meaning and self-worth. These findings suggest that community gardens can serve as valuable psychosocial interventions by fostering connections to the land and others, creating a sense of belonging in host countries, and linking individuals to their agricultural heritage. The review highlights the importance of integrating community gardening programs into resettlement services to support recovery and adaptation.
Category: Therapeutic Design
Title: Odor Perception and Descriptions of Rose-Scented Geranium Pelargonium graveolens ‘Dr. Westerlund’–Sensory and Chemical Analyses (2023)
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10254269/
Summary: This study explored the scents of the rose-scented geranium Pelargonium graveolens ‘Dr. Westerlund’ and their potential for reducing stress. Researchers identified key natural compounds which may help explain its calming effects. Potted plants and cuttings were very similar in scent profiles, highlighting the plant’s versatility within social and therapeutic garden planting or as part of gardening propagation activities. These findings support the importance of sensory experiences in social and therapeutic horticulture, showing how engaging with fragrant plants like scented geraniums can promote relaxation and well-being. Further research is encouraged to deepen our understanding of how plant scents influence stress and mental health.
Category: Therapeutic Design; Physical Health; Rehabilitation
Title: Inhalation of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Related Anxiety and Stress in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Moderate to Severe Pain (2023)
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17010001
Summary: A recent study involving 57 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) explored the effects of inhaling geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens, GEO) on pain and psychological well-being. Of the participants, 28% reported mild pain, while 72% experienced moderate to severe pain. Patients were randomised to either a GEO inhalation group or a control group, allowing for between-group comparisons. The results showed significant reductions in pain, anxiety, and stress scores in the GEO group compared to the control group, particularly among those with moderate to severe pain. These findings suggest that GEO inhalation could complement traditional pain management strategies and highlight the therapeutic potential of plant-based sensory activities in promoting physical and emotional well-being.
Category: Mental Health; Older Adults; Children and Young Adults; Therapeutic Design
Title: Horticultural therapy for stress reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2023)
Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1086121/full
Summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the effects of horticultural therapy (HT) on stress reduction. The study found that HT significantly improved psychological indicators, with notable reductions in stress levels. Specifically, HT was particularly effective for older adults and those facing educational stressors. The analysis also revealed that indoor and virtual HT settings, along with activities like walking, meditation, and plant-related tasks, were most beneficial. This research underscores HT’s potential as a therapeutic tool for enhancing mental health and reducing stress, highlighting its relevance for various populations and settings.
Category: Connecting to Nature; Mental Health; Therapeutic Design
Title: Associations of nature contact with emotional ill-being and well-being:
the role of emotion regulation (2024)
Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02699931.2024.2316199#abstract
Summary: This paper explores the relationship between nature contact, emotion regulation strategies, and emotional well-being and ill-being. Using cross-sectional data, the study examines how different types of emotion regulation, such as rumination, reappraisal, and distraction, mediate the effects of nature exposure on emotional outcomes. The findings reveal that more frequent nature contact is associated with greater emotional well-being and reduced emotional ill-being, particularly through increased use of adaptive strategies like reappraisal and decreased use of maladaptive ones like rumination. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, causal relationships cannot be confirmed, and further research is recommended to explore these pathways in more depth.
Category: Connecting to Nature; Mental Health; Therapeutic Design
Title: The role of nature in emotion regulation processes: An evidence-based
rapid review (2024) Vitale, V., & Bonaiuto, M.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494424000987
Summary: A rapid review, investigating how exposure to nature impacts emotional regulation. Drawing on various frameworks, such as stress reduction and biopsychosocial models, the study emphasises how natural environments help mitigate negative emotions, enhance positive affect, and activate adaptive emotional regulation strategies. Despite substantial evidence of nature’s broader mental health benefits, the paper highlights that the specific pathways linking nature and emotional regulation remain underexplored and calls for more focused research on these mechanisms.
Category: Therapeutic Design; Qualitative; Green Social Prescribing
Title: Towards Key Principles for the Design and Implementation of Nature
Prescription Programs (2023)
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129530
Summary: A qualitative study using semi structured interviews to explore barriers, enablers, needs and preferences to providing nature-based prescriptions in Australia, as perceived by prescribers and providers. Highlights a range of barriers and complexities. They find a need for guidance on how to implement nature prescription, such as a guiding framework.