Nature Connection as a Physiotherapy Tool : Background Research on Natural Environments Interaction with Human Health for Informative Articles Destined to Physiotherapists

Abstract

The impact human activities have on the planet’s life-supporting systems is very well known to date. It is believed that a strong link subsists between our disconnection from the rest of nature and the human-generated environmental crisis we are facing. This crisis poses a serious threat to our species. This thesis aims to inform professionals in the field of physiotherapy about the present state of research on the possible benefits that connection with nature can foster in their clientele. Further on, it sheds light on whether human and nature connectedness (HNC) could be used as a clinical tool for physiotherapists. This work presents on one hand the literature review process that was used to collect background information on the subject, and on the other hand, the process and guidelines used to produce two informative articles, published on two different platforms.

45 articles were selected out of 895 titles from 3 scientific databases. There was a prevalence of reviews about mental and psychological health and connected issues (32 publications). 17 mentioned findings on the physical health benefits of nature-based interventions (NBI), including immune functions, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. Additional interventions included indoor and virtual nature exposures. Finally came HNC as an outcome measure of diverse nature exposures. We concluded that HNC provided an interesting outcome measure as it had the potential to promote healthier lifestyles and nature-conserving attitudes in the studied populations, which is notable for physiotherapy purposes.

It should be noted that further research is still needed to confirm the solidity of the points brought up throughout this thesis. However, the evidence is already showing great promise in the benefits of integrating nature elements into physiotherapy practice. HNC could eventually be considered a tool for this profession, as it presents a cost-effective, preventative solution that can be implemented in various ways, compatible with the healthcare clinical environment.