TITLE:
An Evaluation Study of a Nature Based Rehabilitation in Sweden for Patients with Exhaustion Disorder
AUTHORS:
Gärd Holmqvist, Cristina Lundqvist-Persson
KEYWORDS:
Burn Out Syndrome, Exhaustion Disorder, Stress Disorder, Nature Based Rehabilitation
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.13 No.9,
September
10,
2021
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was
to evaluate a Nature Based Rehabilitation (NBR) for a group of patients with
Exhaustion Disorder (ED) in the southwest Sweden. A multidisciplinary team
consisting of an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, a medical doctor
practising symbolic drama and a nurse with gardening experience provided NBR in
an agricultural environment. Patients were offered 14 weeks of rehabilitation
in a group of eight persons, three mornings per week. Seventeen patients
participated in the study and 15 completed the study. A semi-structured interview
was conducted at the beginning of the rehabilitation and at the end and a
follow-up interview by telephone was done one year after completion of the
rehabilitation. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. Assessment scales
used included: Stress and Crisis Inventory (SCI-93), Coping Resources Inventory
(CRI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Weekly notes from the staff members were
reviewed and compared with the patient’s own experience. The interviews and the
staff notes were analysed with semantic thematic analysis. Result showed that
this kind of NBR with a multidisciplinary team promotes improved health and
improved quality of life for patients with ED and may thus constitute a good
alternative to treatment, provided the ED has not become chronic.