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Using Nature-Based Rehabilitation to Restart a Stalled Process of Rehabilitation in Individuals with Stress-Related Mental Illness

Author

Listed:
  • Eva Sahlin

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

  • Gunnar Ahlborg

    (Institute of Stress Medicine, Sweden and Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Region Västra Götaland, Carl Skottbergs Gata 22B, Göteborg SE-413 19, Sweden)

  • Artur Tenenbaum

    (Arbetslivet, Region Västra Götaland, Skaraborgs Sjukhus Skövde, Skövde SE- 541 85, Sweden)

  • Patrik Grahn

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

Abstract

After a period of decrease, sick leave in Sweden due to psychiatric diagnoses is on the increase. The lack of established rehabilitation programmes for patients with stress-related mental disorders (SRMD) has opened up for the use of garden/nature in a multimodal rehabilitation context (Nature-Based Rehabilitation, NBR). Region Västra Götaland (VGR) started an NBR to offer additional rehabilitation for its employees on long-term sick leave due to SRMD, where initial care had not been sufficient. The aim was to explore whether the mental health and well-being of NBR participants had improved at the end of the NBR and at three follow-ups, and to explore the development of sick leave and health care utilization according to the NBR model ( n = 57) and an occupational health service (OHS) model ( n = 45). Self-assessment instruments for measuring burnout, depression, anxiety and wellbeing, and data from regional and national registers were used. Results showed decreased scores on burnout, depression and anxiety, and increased well-being scores and significantly reduced health care utilization in the NBR group. A large movement from ordinary sickness benefit to rehabilitation benefit was observed, which was not observed in the OHS group. The two groups were in different rehabilitation phases, which limited comparisons. The results point to beneficial effects of using NBR for this patient group and for enhancing a stalled rehabilitation process.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:2:p:1928-1951:d:45669
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eva Sahlin & Gunnar Ahlborg & Josefa Vega Matuszczyk & Patrik Grahn, 2014. "Nature-Based Stress Management Course for Individuals at Risk of Adverse Health Effects from Work-Related Stress—Effects on Stress Related Symptoms, Workability and Sick Leave," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-26, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jongsik Yu & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Felipe Hernández-Perlines & Alejandro Vega-Muñoz & Heesup Han, 2020. "Hotels’ Eco-Friendly Physical Environment as Nature-Based Solutions for Decreasing Burnout and Increasing Job Satisfaction and Performance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Sus Sola Corazon & Ulrik Sidenius & Dorthe Varning Poulsen & Marie Christoffersen Gramkow & Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, 2019. "Psycho-Physiological Stress Recovery in Outdoor Nature-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of the Past Eight Years of Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Katja Oomen-Welke & Evelyn Schlachter & Tina Hilbich & Johannes Naumann & Alexander Müller & Thilo Hinterberger & Roman Huber, 2022. "Spending Time in the Forest or the Field: Investigations on Stress Perception and Psychological Well-Being—A Randomized Cross-Over Trial in Highly Sensitive Persons," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    4. Ulrik Sidenius & Patrik Karlsson Nyed & Victoria Linn Lygum & Ulrika K. Stigsdotter, 2017. "A Diagnostic Post-Occupancy Evaluation of the Nacadia® Therapy Garden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-26, August.
    5. Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson & Sarah Kelly & Marion Kennedy & John W. Cherrie, 2019. "A Scoping Review Mapping Research on Green Space and Associated Mental Health Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-49, June.
    6. Dahlia Stott & DeAndra Forde & Chetan Sharma & Jonathan M. Deutsch & Michael Bruneau & Jennifer A. Nasser & Mara Z. Vitolins & Brandy-Joe Milliron, 2024. "Interactions with Nature, Good for the Mind and Body: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-26, March.
    7. 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.
    8. Dorothy Day Huntsman & Grzegorz Bulaj, 2022. "Healthy Dwelling: Design of Biophilic Interior Environments Fostering Self-Care Practices for People Living with Migraines, Chronic Pain, and Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-16, February.
    9. Dorthe Varning Poulsen & Anna María Pálsdóttir & Sasja Iza Christensen & Lotta Wilson & Sigurd Wiingaard Uldall, 2020. "Therapeutic Nature Activities: A Step Toward the Labor Market for Traumatized Refugees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-19, October.
    10. Mikkel Hjort & Martin Mau & Michaela Høj & Kirsten K. Roessler, 2023. "The Importance of the Outdoor Environment for the Recovery of Psychiatric Patients: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    11. Yeji Yang & Eunbin Ro & Taek-Joo Lee & Byung-Chul An & Kwang-Pyo Hong & Ho-Jun Yun & Eun-Yeong Park & Hye-Ryeong Cho & Suk-Young Yun & Miok Park & Young-Jo Yun & Ai-Ran Lee & Jeong-Ill Jeon & Songhie , 2022. "The Multi-Sites Trial on the Effects of Therapeutic Gardening on Mental Health and Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, June.
    12. Hyo-Jeong Byun & Byeong-Cheol Lee & Donghan Kim & Kwang-Hi Park, 2021. "Market Segmentation by Motivations of Urban Forest Users and Differences in Perceived Effects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-17, December.
    13. 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.
    14. 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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