The Wildman Programme-Rehabilitation and Reconnection with Nature for Men with Mental or Physical Health Problems-A Matched-Control Study.

Simon Høegmark,Tonny Elmose Andersen,Kirsten K Roessler,Patrik Grahn,Anna Mejldal

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111465

Abstract

Men with health problems refuse to participate in rehabilitation programmes and drop out of healthcare offerings more often than women. Therefore, a nature-based rehabilitation programme was tailored specific to men with mental health problems, and long-term illnesses. The rehabilitation programme combines the use of nature, body, mind, and community spirit (NBMC) and is called the ‘Wildman Programme’. The presented study was designed as a matched-control study with an intervention group participating in the Wildman Programme (N = 114) compared to a control group receiving treatment as usual (N = 39). Outcomes were measured at baseline (T1), post-intervention (T2), and 6 months post-intervention (T3). The primary outcome was the participants’ quality of life measured by WHOQOL-BREF, which consists of four domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. The secondary outcomes were the level of stress measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the participants’ emotional experience in relation to nature, measured by the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS). The intervention group improved significantly in the physical and psychological WHOQOL-BREF domains and in PSS at both follow-ups. The participants’ interest in using nature for restoration increased significantly as well. The only detectable difference between the control group and the intervention group was in the WHOQOL-BREF physical domain at the 6-month follow-up. For further studies, we recommend testing the effect of the Wildman Programme in an RCT study.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), stress and mental illnesses have become widespread public health problems and today are to be described as pandemics with great human and societal costs [1]
The study included an intervention group of men participating in the Wildman Programme and a control group of men participating in treatment as usual (TAU), offered by the local healthcare centre, e.g., physiotherapy, relaxation, rehabilitation, and mindfulness
A total of 153 men were included in the study: 114 in the intervention group, and 39 men in the control group that received treatment as usual (TAU)

Summary

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stress and mental illnesses have become widespread public health problems and today are to be described as pandemics with great human and societal costs [1]. These problems are reflected in the Danish population as well, and the proportion of people in Denmark experiencing a high level of distress has increased from 20.8% to 25.1% between 2010 and 2017 [2]. The incidence of long-term illness and chronic disease is increasing and at least one-third of the Danish population above 16 years of age suffer from one or more long-term physical or mental illnesses [2]. While mental health problems can affect people’s physical health, somatic illnesses in turn can lead to psychological consequences such as stress, anxiety, or depression [1,2,3].

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Conclusion