A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments

04 Aug 2010Diana E Bowler, Lisette M Buyung-Ali, Teri M Knight and Andrew S Pullin

Findings provided some evidence of a positive benefit of a walk or run in a natural environment in comparison to a synthetic environment. There was also some support for greater attention after exposure to a natural environment but not after adjusting effect sizes for pretest differences.

Meta Analysis
6 effects

Reported Outcomes

DeterminantsOutcomeDetails

Natural environments Exposure Selfcare risk & protective factor
Protective Factor Natural environments E...
Selfcare

Depression Brain outcome
Decreased risk of Depression
Brain system

High evidence
-66.0%

Natural environments Exposure Selfcare risk & protective factor
Protective Factor Natural environments E...
Selfcare

Sadness Brain outcome
Decreased risk of Sadness
Brain system

High evidence
-66.0%

Natural environments Exposure Selfcare risk & protective factor
Protective Factor Natural environments E...
Selfcare

Fatigue Musculoskeletal outcome
Decreased risk of Fatigue
Musculoskeletal system

High evidence
-76.0%

Natural environments Exposure Selfcare risk & protective factor
Minor Protective Factor Natural environments E...
Selfcare

Blood Pressure - Hypertension Cardiovascular outcome
Minor decreased risk of Blood Pressure - Hype...
Cardiovascular system

High evidence
-3.0%

Natural environments Exposure Selfcare risk & protective factor
Protective Factor Natural environments E...
Selfcare

Stress Brain outcome
Decreased risk of Stress
Brain system

High evidence
-57.0%

Natural environments Exposure Selfcare risk & protective factor
Minor Protective Factor Natural environments E...
Selfcare

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Maternity outcome
Minor decreased risk of Attention deficit hyp...
Maternity system

Moderate evidence
-23.0%