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.

Keywords

horticultural therapy; burnout; vocational therapy; common mental disorders; dose respond; healing garden

Published in

International journal of environmental research and public health
2017, Volume: 14, number: 11, article number: 1310

SLU Authors

• Grahn, Patrik

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Palsdottir, Anna Maria

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ottosson, Johan

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Nature experiences and health


Sustainable Development Goals

SDG3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
SDG8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all


UKÄ Subject classification

Other Medical Sciences not elsewhere specified
Landscape Architecture
Environmental Health and Occupational Health


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14111310

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/92042