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Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomised Trial of Social Prescribing of Forest Therapy for Quality of Life and Biopsychosocial Wellbeing in Community-Living Australian Adults with Mental Illness: Protocol

Author

Listed:
  • Tamsin Thomas

    (School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga, QLD 4225, Australia)

  • James Baker

    (Primary and Community Care Services, 7/1 Central Ave, Thornleigh, NSW 2120, Australia)

  • Debbie Massey

    (School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga, QLD 4225, Australia)

  • Daniel D’Appio

    (Primary and Community Care Services, 7/1 Central Ave, Thornleigh, NSW 2120, Australia)

  • Christina Aggar

    (School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga, QLD 4225, Australia
    Northern NSW Local Health District, Crawford House, Hunter Street, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia)

Abstract

Social Prescribing (SP) involves linking individuals with mental illness to local health and welfare services to improve quality of life (QoL) and biopsychosocial wellbeing. SP programs address psychosocial wellbeing by linking individuals to group activities. Forest Therapy (FT) is a group nature walk with prescribed activities that promote mindfulness, relaxation, and shared experience. Improvements in psychological and physical wellbeing have been demonstrated in FT, but psychosocial impacts have not been widely investigated. This study will implement an SP FT intervention and assess the impacts on QoL and biopsychosocial wellbeing. Participants will include 140 community-living adults with mental illness at Sydney/Gold Coast, Australia. A stepped-wedge cluster randomised design will be used; each participant will complete a 10-week control period followed by a 10-week FT intervention. Weekly 90-min FT sessions will be conducted in groups of 6–10 in local nature reserves. Validated tools will measure self-report QoL and biopsychosocial wellbeing pre- and post-control and intervention periods, and 5-week follow-up. Blood pressure and heart rate will be measured pre- and post-FT sessions. Hypothesised outcomes include improvements in QoL and biopsychosocial wellbeing. This study is the first to assess SP FT, and may provide evidence for a novel, scalable mental illness intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Tamsin Thomas & James Baker & Debbie Massey & Daniel D’Appio & Christina Aggar, 2020. "Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomised Trial of Social Prescribing of Forest Therapy for Quality of Life and Biopsychosocial Wellbeing in Community-Living Australian Adults with Mental Illness: Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:9076-:d:457102
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Insook Lee & Heeseung Choi & Kyung-Sook Bang & Sungjae Kim & MinKyung Song & Buhyun Lee, 2017. "Effects of Forest Therapy on Depressive Symptoms among Adults: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2016. "Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Margaret M. Hansen & Reo Jones & Kirsten Tocchini, 2017. "Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-48, July.
    4. Knapp, Martin & Bauer, Annette & Perkins, Margaret & Snell, Tom, 2013. "Building community capital in social care: is there an economic case?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 46440, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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