LE3 .A278 2023

2023

Colton, John

Acadia University

Bachelor of Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Honours

Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Environmental & Sustainability Studies

A limited but growing body of knowledge suggests that Nature-Based Therapies could provide extensive health benefits for both patient populations and the general population. This study sought to explore the potential benefits of incorporating NBT into the Rehabilitation Therapy fields of Speech-Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. These fields were chosen due to the current deficit of research on the use of NBT within them, the fact that existing literature suggests NBT could benefit the specific treatment goals and overall well-being of their patient populations, and the fact that these fields have adaptable frameworks suitable to the incorporation of such a Complementary Alternative Medicine into practice. Fifteen participants took part in this research, and completed a Profile of Mood-States Test before and after taking part in an NBT activity. Participants also took part in semi-structured follow-up interviews. Results indicated that participants experienced a reduction in negative mood-states and an increase in one positive mood-state after completing the activity. Participants also reported feelings of improved physical and mental well-being, groundedness and mind-body connection, and an increase in personal realizations. The generalizability of these findings was limited by a number of factors including sample size and participant bias, but these results indicate that NBT could be a potentially beneficial CAM for ST, OT, and PT patients, necessitating further research on the topic.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:4011