A systematic review of Nature-based interventions for neurological disorders

The human nervous system evolved to optimise its interactions with the natural world. However, as civilisations over recent millennia have developed, the human brain has become steadily disconnected from these natural stimuli. Consequently, detrimental effects on individual health are increasingly recognised. Strategies that promote reconnection with Nature have yielded significant gains when it comes to psychological and general physical health, although much less is known about their direct impact on neurological health. In this systematic review, we identified 17 studies that assessed at least one Nature-based intervention to treat any neurological disease. The predominant study design was quasi-experimental (n=9). Interventions included horticultural therapy, petal arranging and farm visits. The majority of studies had a moderate risk of bias. While 88% (n=15) of studies reported improvements in measures such as quality of life, mood, agitation, apathy or cognitive function, there was such an overrepresentation of studies recruiting patients with dementia (94%; n=16) that for many common neurological disorders, including epilepsy, migraine and multiple sclerosis, the current literature leaves us none the wiser. Considering the extensive crosstalk that exists between physical and psychological disease, we argue that the potential benefit of formal ‘Nature Prescriptions’ as an accessible, cheap and harmless endorsement of Mother Nature’s healing hand warrants greater attention in neurology. Indeed, this aligns with the wider societal and environmental need for humans to reconnect with the natural world.