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Health-Promoting Nature Access for People with Mobility Impairments: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Gaochao Zhang

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

  • Dorthe V. Poulsen

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

  • Victoria L. Lygum

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

  • Sus S. Corazon

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

  • Marie C. Gramkow

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

  • Ulrika K. Stigsdotter

    (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

Abstract

This study systematically evaluated the scientific evidence for health benefits of natural environments for people with mobility impairments. Literature searches based on five categories of terms—target group, nature type, health-related impacts, nature-related activities and accessibility issues—were conducted in four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, CAB ABSTRACT and Medline). Twenty-seven articles from 4196 hits were included in the systematic reviews. We concluded that people with mobility disabilities could gain different health benefits, including physical health benefits, mental health benefits and social health benefits from nature in different kinds of nature contacts ranging from passive contact, active involvement to rehabilitative interventions. Several issues related to the accessibility and use of nature for people with mobility impairments need attention from professionals such as landscape architects, rehabilitative therapists, caregivers and policy makers. The overall quality of methodology of the included studies is not high based on assessment of the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Moreover, more randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies that focus specifically on evidence-based health design of nature for people with mobility impairments in the future are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:7:p:703-:d:103009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maria José Aguilar-Carrasco & Eric Gielen & Maria Vallés-Planells & Francisco Galiana & Mercedes Almenar-Muñoz & Cecil Konijnendijk, 2022. "Promoting Inclusive Outdoor Recreation in National Park Governance: A Comparative Perspective from Canada and Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-25, February.
    2. Manoj Sharma & Erin Largo-Wight & Amar Kanekar & Hana Kusumoto & Stephanie Hooper & Vinayak K. Nahar, 2020. "Using the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Change to Explain Intentional Outdoor Nature Contact Behavior among College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Louise Sofia Madsen & Dorthe Varning Poulsen & Claus Vinther Nielsen & Charlotte Handberg, 2021. "“It Was Definitely an Eye-Opener to Me”—People with Disabilities’ and Health Professionals’ Perceptions on Combining Traditional Indoor Rehabilitation Practice with an Urban Green Rehabilitation Conte," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-14, June.

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