Green Care: A Conceptual Framework - Frisk i naturen

Spurgeon (2006) have described STH:
“…as the participation by a range of vulnerable people in
groups and communities whose activities are centred around
horticulture and gardening. STH is distinct from domestic
gardening because it operates in an organised and formalised
environment.”
4.4 Facilitated green exercise as a therapeutic
intervention
Historically, the beneficial effects of physical activity on physical health
have been widely accepted. More recently, over the last 20 years, the
positive effects on psychological health resulting from exercise have been
examined. During this time there have been a number of research studies
investigating the relationship between physical activity and mental health.
For example, Dunn et al (2005) showed that a programme of aerobic
exercise was effective in mild to moderate depression; and Sims et al
(2009) found that exercise reduced symptoms of depression in stroke
patients. A meta-analysis of 11 treatment outcome studies conducted
by Stathopoulou et al (2006) demonstrated the beneficial effects of
exercise. Also, Diaz and Motta (2008) found exercise to be useful in post
traumatic stress disorder in a group of adolescents. These and other similar
observations have led to the recognition of the potential of exercise as
a therapeutic intervention, particularly for those suffering from clinical
depression and anxiety (see, for example, Mental Health Foundation, 2005,
2009).
Around 21% of General Practitioners (GPs) in the UK now offer exercise
therapy as one of their three most common treatment responses, in
comparison to 94% who commonly prescribe antidepressants. For 45%
of GPs antidepressants are their first response compared to 4% whose
first response is to prescribe exercise therapy (Mental Health Foundation,
2009). Whilst the use of exercise therapy remains relatively low, the current
figures show a large increase in the past five years. Data published in
2005 (Mental Health Foundation, 2005) showed that then only 5% chose
exercise as one of their three most favoured options and less than 1% would
consider it as their first response. Hence, the use of exercise therapy is
slowly gaining ground in the UK.
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