Heather Ray1, Sonya L Jakubec2. 1. Dept. of Physical Education and Recreation Studies, Faculty of Health & Community Studies, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6K6, Canada. Electronic address: hray@mtroyal.ca. 2. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Community Studies, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6K6, Canada. Electronic address: sjakubec@mtroyal.ca.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Although exposure to, and interaction with, natural environments are recognized as health-promoting, little is understood about the use of nature contact in treatment and rehabilitation for cancer survivors. METHODS: This narrative review summarizes the literature exploring the influence of nature-based experiences on survivor health. Key databases included CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycArticles, ProQuest, and Cancerlit databases. RESULTS: Sixteen articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Four major categories emerged: 1) Dragon boat racing may enhance breast cancer survivor quality of life, 2) Natural environment may counteract attentional fatigue in newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors, 3) Adventure programs provide a positive experience for children and adolescent survivors, fostering a sense of belonging and self-esteem, and 4) Therapeutic landscapes may decrease state-anxiety, improving survivor health. CONCLUSIONS: This review contributes to a better understanding of the therapeutic effects of nature-based experiences on cancer survivor health, providing a point of entry for future study.
PURPOSE: Although exposure to, and interaction with, natural environments are recognized as health-promoting, little is understood about the use of nature contact in treatment and rehabilitation for cancer survivors. METHODS: This narrative review summarizes the literature exploring the influence of nature-based experiences on survivor health. Key databases included CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycArticles, ProQuest, and Cancerlit databases. RESULTS: Sixteen articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Four major categories emerged: 1) Dragon boat racing may enhance breast cancer survivor quality of life, 2) Natural environment may counteract attentional fatigue in newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors, 3) Adventure programs provide a positive experience for children and adolescent survivors, fostering a sense of belonging and self-esteem, and 4) Therapeutic landscapes may decrease state-anxiety, improving survivor health. CONCLUSIONS: This review contributes to a better understanding of the therapeutic effects of nature-based experiences on cancer survivor health, providing a point of entry for future study.
Authors: Miek C Jong; Eric Mulder; Agnete E Kristoffersen; Trine Stub; Heléne Dahlqvist; Eija Viitasara; E Anne Lown; Winnie Schats; Mats Jong Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-05-09 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: María Del Rosario Asensio-García; María Isabel Tomás-Rodríguez; Antonio Palazón-Bru; Sergio Hernández-Sánchez; Rauf Nouni-García; Aída Lucía Romero-Aledo; Vicente Francisco Gil-Guillén Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2020-09-24 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Howard Frumkin; Gregory N Bratman; Sara Jo Breslow; Bobby Cochran; Peter H Kahn; Joshua J Lawler; Phillip S Levin; Pooja S Tandon; Usha Varanasi; Kathleen L Wolf; Spencer A Wood Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2017-07-31 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Manoj Sharma; Erin Largo-Wight; Amar Kanekar; Hana Kusumoto; Stephanie Hooper; Vinayak K Nahar Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-08-21 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Juan Gavala-González; Amanda Torres-Pérez; José Carlos Fernández-García Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-07-05 Impact factor: 3.390