Nature-based Treatment Group for Depression
Condition: Depression
MeSH terms: Depression; Depressive Disorder
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This multi-centre research investigates the effects of nature-based treatment group on
      participants diagnosed with depression. In total, 147 persons participated in the study in
      various locations in Finland. All participants received treatment as usual (TAU). They were
      randomised into nature-based group + TAU (n = 70) or TAU-only (n = 77). The participants in
      the nature-based group + TAU were offered 12 sessions once a week in addition to standard
      care. The measurement points included pre-treatment measurement at the baseline and
      post-treatment measurement at the end of the intervention, which was 12 weeks after the
      pre-treatment measurement. The follow-up measurement was 3 months after the post-treatment
      measurement. The effects of the intervention were assessed with a clinical measure of
      depression (BDI-I) and with indicators of psychological distress (CORE-10), subjective
      well-being (SWEMWBS), work/study ability (WAI) and nature experiences (ROS, KOLU). The
      participants in the treatment group (nature-based group +TAU) were compared to the
      participants in the control group who received TAU-only.
    

Detailed description: 
      This research investigates the outcomes of nature-based treatment groups in the treatment of
      adults with depression. In total, 147 participants were involved. Of them, 70 were randomized
      into DMT group and 77 into the control group. All participants received treatment as usual
      during the research. The inclusion criteria of the study were: a diagnoses of depression (ICD
      -diagnostic system), BDI-I score 10 or above (cut off score for mild depression), treatment
      contact in a health care service and 18-65 years of age. The exclusion criteria were: 1)
      active suicidal ideation, 2) psychotic symptoms, and 3) substance misuse that is on a
      critical level (Audit questionnaire scores above 10). Also, participants who had pain-related
      problems that restricted daily life or were pregnant were not admitted to the study.

      Nature-based treatment group was facilitated by a health care professional and included 12 x
      90 mins sessions within 12 weeks. Depressive symptoms (BDI-I), psychological distress
      (CORE-10), subjective well-being (SWEMWBS), ability to work/study (WAI), and nature
      experiences (ROS, KOLU) were assessed at three measurement points: pre-measurement at the
      baseline, post-measurement 12 weeks after the pre-treatment measurement, and a follow-up
      measurement three months after the post-treatment measurement.

      This research includes a larger number of participants (N = 147) than have been involved in
      previous studies utilising randomised controlled trials in nature-based interventions. The
      research generates further information about the effectiveness of nature-based therapy groups
      in the rehabilitation of depression as it was conducted in five cities across Finland. This
      type of multi-centre research can provide a realistic picture of the typical practice of a
      range of health care professionals working with participants in various geographic locations.
    

Intervention name(s): Flow with Nature
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Nature-based intervention was facilitated by a health care professional and included 12 x 90 mins sessions within 12 weeks.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: nature-based; therapy group; recovery experiences; nature experiences