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The Significance of Experiences of Nature for People with Parkinson’s Disease, with Special Focus on Freezing of Gait—The Necessity for a Biophilic Environment. A Multi-Method Single Subject Study

Author

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  • Johan Ottosson

    (The Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 88, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden)

  • Lillian Lavesson

    (The Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 88, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Stefan Pinzke

    (The Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 88, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Patrik Grahn

    (The Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 88, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden)

Abstract

Freezing of Gait (FOG) is a common condition in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). FOG entails suddenly experiencing difficulties moving or feeling that one’s feet are as glued to the ground. It is triggered, e.g., when passing through doorways. Earlier studies suggest that being in natural environments affects FOG in a positive way. Five subjects were recruited to serve as five single subject cases. We used interviews, observations, questionnaires and collected gait pattern data with aid of an accelerometer. A special designed outdoor setting was used, where we investigated whether passing through hedge openings with or without built elements triggered FOG. We found that no one experienced a FOG reaction when they passed through hedge openings without built elements. However, FOG was triggered when a doorframe was inserted into a hedge opening, and/or when peripheral vision was blocked. We interpret the results such that the doorframe triggered a phobic reflex, causing a freezing reaction. Passing through hedge openings does not trigger FOG, which we interpret as a biophilic reaction. Our results, if repeated in future studies, may have significance to everyday lives of PD patients, who could get a simpler life by consciously prioritizing stays in natural surroundings.

Suggested Citation

  • Johan Ottosson & Lillian Lavesson & Stefan Pinzke & Patrik Grahn, 2015. "The Significance of Experiences of Nature for People with Parkinson’s Disease, with Special Focus on Freezing of Gait—The Necessity for a Biophilic Environment. A Multi-Method Single Subject Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:7:p:7274-7299:d:51812
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christie Scollon & Chu Kim-Prieto & Ed Diener, 2003. "Experience Sampling: Promises and Pitfalls, Strengths and Weaknesses," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 5-34, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gaochao Zhang & Dorthe V. Poulsen & Victoria L. Lygum & Sus S. Corazon & Marie C. Gramkow & Ulrika K. Stigsdotter, 2017. "Health-Promoting Nature Access for People with Mobility Impairments: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Kristina Byström & Patrik Grahn & Caroline Hägerhäll, 2019. "Vitality from Experiences in Nature and Contact with Animals—A Way to Develop Joint Attention and Social Engagement in Children with Autism?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-36, November.

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