Does a natural environment enhance the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)? Examining the mental health and wellbeing, and nature connectedness benefits
E. Choe, Anna Jorgensen, D. Sheffield
October 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103886 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 99 |
| Population | Adult participants |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Six-week intervention, one-week and one-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBSR carried out in a natural outdoor environment yields greater mental health and wellbeing outcomes than MBSR in indoor or built environments, with sustained improvements at one-month follow-up. |
Abstract
Abstract This study investigated whether the impacts of a commonly used wellbeing intervention, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), are enhanced when combined with the benefits of exposure to a natural environment. Participants (n = 99) were randomly assigned to a weekly one-hour MBSR in one of three different environments (i.e. natural outdoor, built outdoor and indoor environments) over a six-week period. Participants’ wellbeing outcomes and nature connectedness were measured at baseline, during the intervention and at one-week and one-month follow up. The results show that the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of MBSR are greater when it carried out in a natural outdoor environment compared with indoor or built environments. Moreover, participants in the natural outdoor environment showed sustained improvements even after one month from completion of the intervention. This study supports the potential value of natural environments as settings for the enhancement of health care delivery and therapeutic interventions.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 18
- Feasibility and effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for improving resilience, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and posttraumatic growth among military medical college students. Acta Psychologica November 1, 2024
- Mental Health and Quality of Life in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Depression: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy. Actas Españolas de Psiquiatría April 1, 2024
- Nature-Based Contemplation for Spiritual Well-Being: A Pilot Study Exploring Acceptability and Potential Benefits Mindfulness October 13, 2025
- Using contemplative nature engagement practices to address ecological distress People and Nature October 7, 2025
- Nature-based mindfulness program for parents and caregivers: a mixed-methods study Frontiers in Psychology October 15, 2026
and 13 more in the library
Cites 13
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis - a feasibility randomised controlled trial. BMC Neurology May 16, 2017
- Cognitive effects of MBSR/MBCT: A systematic review of neuropsychological outcomes. Consciousness and Cognition October 2016
- Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health: A review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review April 1, 2016
and 8 more in the library