Facts about the project
Project manager
Ulrica Englund Johansson
Other project members
Ulrica Lovén Wickman. Helena Gunnarsson
Participating organizations
Linnaeus University
Financier
Linnaeus University
Timetable
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Subject
Caring Science (Department of Health and Caring sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences)
Knowledge Environment
Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Sustainable Health
More about the project
To date, therapeutic activities in green spaces have primarily been explored for psychiatric conditions, with only limited investigation into their effects on neurological conditions. However, the two disciplines share many similarities, particularly regarding brain regions that are either dysfunctional or undergoing degenerative processes. This overlap justifies the exploration of the benefits of active therapies in outdoor settings for neurological diseases.
In the coming decades, the global burden of neurological diseases is expected to result in significant individual suffering and substantial societal costs, exacerbated by an aging population. Psychiatric studies have demonstrated clear effects of green-based therapies on physiological parameters, such as mood and sleep regulation (serotonin) and stress (cortisol), as well as on functional recovery following spinal cord injury. These findings strongly support the investigation of nature-based therapies for neurological disorders. Additionally, given that inflammation is a well-known key factor in these diseases, further research is warranted.
It is therefore crucial to explore innovative methods for monitoring stress and anxiety associated with neurological diseases. More research is needed to determine the value and contribution of outdoor experiences for patients living with these conditions. Consequently, we will examine patients’ experiences with outdoor activities to identify tools that may enhance health-related quality of life for individuals with neurological diseases.
The project is part of the research in the Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Sustainable Health
