SynthesisBMC geriatrics2016
How do older people describe their sensory experiences of the natural world? A systematic review of the qualitative evidence.
Synthesis in BMC geriatrics, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
25 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effectiveness of Therapeutic Gardens for People with Dementia: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Pooled it
- Understanding the nature-wellbeing relationship in adults: a qualitative metasynthesis review.Wellbeing, space and society · 2026Review
- Effectiveness of Nature-Based Interventions in Reducing Agitation Among Older Adults with Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Promoting resident thriving in nursing homes: A qualitative study.Journal of advanced nursing · 2025Article
- Public perception vs ecological quality status: Examining the ecological restoration of the Congost River's Environment.Heliyon · 2024Article
- [Interdisciplinary pain therapy in the elderly].Schmerz (Berlin, Germany) · 2024Review
- Nature As a "Lifeline": The Power of Photography When Exploring the Experiences of Older Adults Living With Memory Loss and Memory Concerns.The Gerontologist · 2023Article
- "I see beauty, I see art, I see design, I see love." Findings from a resident-driven, co-designed gardening program in a long-term care facility.Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, policy and practice · 2022Article
- Horticulture therapy affected the mental status, sleep quality, and salivary markers of mucosal immunity in an elderly population.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- The Use of Urban Parks by Older Adults in the Context of Perceived Security.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- The Effects of Urban Green Space on Depressive Symptoms of Mid-Aged and Elderly Urban Residents in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Article
- Perceived and objective availability of green and blue spaces and quality of life in people with dementia: results from the IDEAL programme.Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology · 2021Article
- Satisfaction With Outdoor Activities Among Northeastern U.S. Newly Enrolled Long-Term Services and Supports Recipients.Journal of applied gerontology : the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society · 2021Article
- "Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- What Affects Older Adults' Viewing Behaviors in Neighborhood Open Space: A Study in Hong Kong.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Executive dysfunctions mediate between altered sensory processing and daily activity performance in older adults.BMC geriatrics · 2021Article
- Residents' use and perceptions of residential care facility gardens: A behaviour mapping and conversation study.International journal of older people nursing · 2020Article
- Urban Green Space: Creating a Triple Win for Environmental Sustainability, Health, and Health Equity through Behavior Change.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2019Review
- "I Would Never Come Here Because I've Got My Own Garden": Older Adults' Perceptions of Small Urban Green Spaces.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDespite the increased scholarly interest in the senses and sensory experiences, the topic of older people's sensory engagement with nature is currently under researched. This paper reviews and synthesises qualitative research evidence about how older people, including those living with dementia, describe their sensory engagement with the natural world.
methodsTen databases were searched from 1990 to September 2014: MEDLINE (Ovid), MEDLINE-in-Process (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), GreenFILE (EBSCO), ProQuest Sociology, ASSIA (ProQuest), International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (ProQuest); HMIC (Ovid); Social Policy and Practice (Ovid). Forward and backward citation chasing of included articles was conducted; 20 organizations were contacted to identify unpublished reports. Screening was undertaken independently by two reviewers.
resultsTwenty seven studies were included. Thematic analysis revealed that descriptions of sensory experiences are encompassed within six themes: descriptions from 'the window'; sensory descriptions that emphasise vision; descriptions of 'being in nature'; descriptions of 'doing in nature'; barriers to sensory engagement; and meanings of being and doing in nature.
conclusionsOlder people derive considerable pleasure and enjoyment from viewing nature, being and doing in nature which, in turn has a positive impact on their wellbeing and quality of life. Future research could usefully explore how sensory engagement with nature could be used to stimulate reminiscences of places and people, and evoke past sensory experiences to enrich everyday life and maintain a sense of self. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO ( CRD42015020736 ).
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.