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Medical Nature-Based Rehabilitation Program for Individuals with Exhaustion Syndrome: Changes in Quality of Life, Exhaustion Symptoms and Overall Health

Author

Listed:
  • Eleanor Petitt

    (Department of Psychology, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Bo Rolander

    (Futurum—The Academy for Health and Care, Region Jönköping, 553 05 Jönköping, Sweden)

  • Per Johnsson

    (Department of Psychology, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

Stress-related health problems have increased sharply over the last two decades and have become a serious issue at all levels of society. In the Jönköping Region in southern Sweden, a nature-based rehabilitation (NBR) program for adults with Exhaustion Syndrome has been developed and then implemented into the Swedish National Healthcare System. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of this NBR-program. This was achieved by examining patients’ quality of life, exhaustion symptoms and overall health using self-assessment instruments, comparing the results before participation to immediately after, three months after and six months after. With a sample size of 67 participants, the results show a statistically significant improvement for all points. From a public health perspective, and with background knowledge of the nature of the patient group under treatment, the studied program would appear to be effective and economic, having a satisfied patient group as well as a favourable comparison with the outcomes of other research programs. Although the results are promising, as this is a naturalistic field study, there is no control group, and further research is encouraged. We suggest randomised controlled studies, longitudinal studies and investigation of mediators.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleanor Petitt & Bo Rolander & Per Johnsson, 2023. "Medical Nature-Based Rehabilitation Program for Individuals with Exhaustion Syndrome: Changes in Quality of Life, Exhaustion Symptoms and Overall Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:17:p:6677-:d:1228238
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Reo Jones & Robin Tarter & Amy Miner Ross, 2021. "Greenspace Interventions, Stress and Cortisol: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-21, March.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Anna Bergenheim & Gunnar Ahlborg & Susanne Bernhardsson, 2021. "Nature-Based Rehabilitation for Patients with Long-Standing Stress-Related Mental Disorders: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis of Patients’ Experiences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
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