Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40861342›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2025

Nature-based interventions: a systematic review of reviews.

Branislav Kaleta, Stephen Campbell, Jimmy O'Keeffe, Jolanta Burke

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Connected by Nature: Nature-Based Intervention to Support Young Adults with Advanced Cancer.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Branislav KaletaCentre for Positive Health Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
Stephen CampbellCentre for Positive Health Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
Jimmy O'KeeffeSchool of History and Geography, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
Jolanta BurkeCentre for Positive Health Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Nature-based interventions are emerging as an alternative to therapeutic approaches aimed to reduce and prevent mental and physical ailments. However, little is known of the types of interventions available to use by healthcare professionals. This systematic review of reviews aimed to classify and categorise different types of Nature-Based Interventions (NBIs) which currently exist under different names and approaches. The second aim of our review was to explore the mediating and moderating factors impacting NBI effectiveness. Methods: The systematic review used the narrative synthesis approach following the PRISMA guidelines, using the following databases: Academic Search Complete, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and included only peer-reviewed review articles in English which explored Nature Based Interventions (NBIs), excluding animal-based interventions. The quality review was conducted using AMSTAR-2. Results: The review included a total of 61 reviews of NBIs, covering 13 different categories of NBIs: nature-based interventions, horticulture, nature exposure, green exercise, wilderness and adventure therapy, forest therapy, blue space interventions, care farming, nature play, nature-based education, environmental volunteerism, immersive nature experiences, and caring for country. Furthermore, 11 moderating and mediating factors influencing NBI effectiveness were identified: social, physical activity, age, nature connectedness, duration and frequency, gender, symptom severity, environment type, participant motivation and preference, challenge confrontation, and autonomy, responsibility, and skill and knowledge acquisition. Conclusion: The current review found a wide variety of NBIs, showcasing the many different options available to individuals and healthcare professionals offering accessible and cost-effective NBIs. Moreover, the moderating and mediating factors identified in our review will help future researchers, healthcare professionals, and practitioners consider these factors when evaluating the effectiveness of NBIs. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023491598), identifier (CRD42023491598).

Indexed as

blue space interventionsforest bathinggreen space interventionshorticulturenaturenature-based interventions

Identifiers

PMID40861342
PMCPMC12370496

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.