Efficacy of nature-based therapy for individuals with stress-related illnesses: Randomised controlled trial

TY - JOUR

T1 - Efficacy of nature-based therapy for individuals with stress-related illnesses

T2 - Randomised controlled trial

AU - Stigsdotter, Ulrika K.

AU - Corazon, Sus Sola

AU - Sidenius, Ulrik

AU - Karlsson Nyed, Patrik

AU - Larsen, Helmer Bøving

AU - Fjorback, Lone Overby

PY - 2018/7/1

Y1 - 2018/7/1

N2 - Background Stress-related illnesses are a major threat to public health, and there is increasing demand for validated treatments. Aims To test the efficacy of nature-based therapy (NBT) for patients with stress-related illnesses. Method Randomised controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01849718) comparing Nacadia® NBT (NNBT) with the cognitive-behavioural therapy known as Specialised Treatment for Severe Bodily Distress Syndromes (STreSS). In total, 84 participants were randomly allocated to one of the two treatments. The primary outcome measure was the mean aggregate score on the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI). Results Both treatments resulted in a significant increase in the PGWBI (primary outcome) and a decrease in burnout (the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire, secondary outcome), which were both sustained 12 months later. No significant difference in efficacy was found between NNBT and STreSS for primary outcome and secondary outcomes. Conclusions The study showed no statistical evidence of a difference between NNBT and STreSS for treating patients with stress-related illnesses. Declaration of interest None.

AB - Background Stress-related illnesses are a major threat to public health, and there is increasing demand for validated treatments. Aims To test the efficacy of nature-based therapy (NBT) for patients with stress-related illnesses. Method Randomised controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01849718) comparing Nacadia® NBT (NNBT) with the cognitive-behavioural therapy known as Specialised Treatment for Severe Bodily Distress Syndromes (STreSS). In total, 84 participants were randomly allocated to one of the two treatments. The primary outcome measure was the mean aggregate score on the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI). Results Both treatments resulted in a significant increase in the PGWBI (primary outcome) and a decrease in burnout (the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire, secondary outcome), which were both sustained 12 months later. No significant difference in efficacy was found between NNBT and STreSS for primary outcome and secondary outcomes. Conclusions The study showed no statistical evidence of a difference between NNBT and STreSS for treating patients with stress-related illnesses. Declaration of interest None.

U2 - 10.1192/bjp.2018.2

DO - 10.1192/bjp.2018.2

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29793558

SN - 0007-1250

VL - 213

SP - 404

EP - 411

JO - British Journal of Psychiatry

JF - British Journal of Psychiatry

IS - 1

ER -