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Longer Nature-Based Rehabilitation May Contribute to a Faster Return to Work in Patients with Reactions to Severe Stress and/or Depression

Author

Listed:
  • Patrik Grahn

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

  • Anna María Pálsdóttir

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

  • Johan Ottosson

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

  • Ingibjörg H. Jonsdottir

    (The Institute of Stress Medicine, Region Västra Götaland, Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22B, SE 413 19 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

The global burden of depression and stress-related mental disorders is substantial, and constitutes a major need for effective rehabilitation. Can nature-based rehabilitation help people return to work? Objective: To study if the length of a nature-based rehabilitation program affects the outcome with regard to return to work one year after the onset of the program, in a group of patients with long-term reactions to severe stress and/or depression. Methods: A prospective, quasi-experimental study comparing results from 8-, 12-, and 24-week periods of rehabilitation. The rehabilitation of 106 participants was carried out by a multimodal rehabilitation team in a specially designed rehabilitation garden. Return to work data were collected before the intervention and one year after the start of rehabilitation. In addition, data were collected regarding self-assessed occupational competence, personal control, and sense of coherence. As many as 68% of the participants returned to work or participated in job training or work-oriented measures, full- or part-time, after one year. Participants with a longer period of rehabilitation reported better results on occupational competence, and were more likely to participate in paid work, full-time or part-time, one year after rehabilitation. Study outcomes indicate that a longer rehabilitation period in a rehabilitation garden increases the possibility of a return to paid work.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrik Grahn & Anna María Pálsdóttir & Johan Ottosson & Ingibjörg H. Jonsdottir, 2017. "Longer Nature-Based Rehabilitation May Contribute to a Faster Return to Work in Patients with Reactions to Severe Stress and/or Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:11:p:1310-:d:116599
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna María Pálsdóttir & Dennis Persson & Birgitta Persson & Patrik Grahn, 2014. "The Journey of Recovery and Empowerment Embraced by Nature — Clients’ Perspectives on Nature-Based Rehabilitation in Relation to the Role of the Natural Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-22, July.
    2. Rockers, Peter C. & Røttingen, John-Arne & Shemilt, Ian & Tugwell, Peter & Bärnighausen, Till, 2015. "Inclusion of quasi-experimental studies in systematic reviews of health systems research," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(4), pages 511-521.
    3. Eva Sahlin & Gunnar Ahlborg & Artur Tenenbaum & Patrik Grahn, 2015. "Using Nature-Based Rehabilitation to Restart a Stalled Process of Rehabilitation in Individuals with Stress-Related Mental Illness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-24, February.
    4. Kurt Beil & Douglas Hanes, 2013. "The Influence of Urban Natural and Built Environments on Physiological and Psychological Measures of Stress— A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, March.
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    2. Lilly Joschko & Anna María Pálsdóttir & Patrik Grahn & Maximilian Hinse, 2023. "Nature-Based Therapy in Individuals with Mental Health Disorders, with a Focus on Mental Well-Being and Connectedness to Nature—A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-24, January.
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    8. Sus Sola Corazon & Patrik Karlsson Nyed & Ulrik Sidenius & Dorthe Varning Poulsen & Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, 2018. "A Long-Term Follow-Up of the Efficacy of Nature-Based Therapy for Adults Suffering from Stress-Related Illnesses on Levels of Healthcare Consumption and Sick-Leave Absence: A Randomized Controlled Tri," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, January.
    9. José-María Figueredo & Cristina García-Ael & Andrea Gragnano & Gabriela Topa, 2020. "Well-Being at Work after Return to Work (RTW): A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-27, October.
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