Spain Study: Nature-Based Activities Sustainably Reduce Loneliness, Improve Quality of Life Limitedly

A structured programme encouraging lonely adults to engage in group activities within natural environments like parks and gardens has demonstrated a sustained reduction in feelings of loneliness over a year. However, the initiative did not yield significant improvements in participants’ overall health-related quality of life, according to a randomised controlled trial conducted in Spain.

The Chenab Times has learned that the study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, evaluated a programme known as Friends in Nature (FiN). This initiative aimed to address loneliness among 320 adults residing in 12 economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods within the Barcelona metropolitan region. The participants, with a median age of approximately 63 years, were predominantly women, accounting for 80% of the study group.

Researchers implemented a comparative approach, contrasting a nine-week intervention involving facilitator-led group sessions that combined outdoor activities with peer support against a control group. The control group received individual guidance and recommendations for local nature-based activities without the structured group component.

At the three-month assessment mark, both intervention and control groups reported a decline in loneliness, with an average reduction of 10.5% on the loneliness scale, corresponding to a 0.73-point decrease. Crucially, no statistically significant difference in loneliness reduction was observed between the two approaches during this initial phase.

Further follow-up at 12 months revealed that the reductions in loneliness continued to deepen for participants in both groups. Despite these positive trends in addressing loneliness, neither the structured group intervention nor the individual guidance led to a significant enhancement in participants’ health-related quality of life.

The study authors noted that both pathways, termed nature-based social prescribing (NBSP), effectively alleviated loneliness but did not alter health-related quality of life (HRQoL). NBSP is described as an approach that links individuals with community activities designed to promote their health and well-being.

These findings suggest that increased awareness of outdoor activities alone can be beneficial, while organised group programmes might offer supplementary advantages to certain individuals. The Friends in Nature programme involved groups of eight to 10 participants, guided by two facilitators possessing health or social care backgrounds. Sessions were held weekly for two hours over nine weeks and included excursions to natural settings such as gardens, parks, riverbanks, and coastal areas.

Activities encompassed identifying local flora and fauna, engaging in nature-inspired art, and participating in discussions prompted by photographic stimuli. Facilitators encouraged participants to voice their experiences with loneliness, cultivate shared interests, and provide mutual support. The overarching goal was to foster social connections, a sense of belonging, and self-assurance in managing loneliness.

In contrast, individuals in the control group underwent a 30-minute motivational interview and received tailored suggestions for nature-based pursuits within their neighbourhoods.

A significant observation was that the structured Friends in Nature programme appeared to be more impactful for participants who began the study with higher levels of loneliness and lower emotional well-being. Researchers identified a statistically significant interaction between the intervention’s efficacy and participants’ baseline emotional state, indicating that those experiencing more pronounced emotional challenges could derive greater benefit from facilitated group settings.

The study also underscored the importance of participant retention. Early dropout rates were notably lower in the group programme compared to the control group, with 14% of intervention participants leaving before the three-month assessment versus 28% in the control group. Participants in the control group often cited disappointment with their assigned study method as a primary reason for discontinuing their involvement.

Only one adverse event was documented within the intervention group: a participant sustained a minor ankle sprain during a nature walk. The study authors proposed that nature-based social prescribing offers a viable method for integrating healthcare services with community resources to effectively combat loneliness.

They stressed the necessity of tailoring interventions to individual needs, motivations, and preferences, rather than adhering to a singular, universal approach. The researchers further cautioned that loneliness is a complex social issue influenced by multifaceted factors, including economic and social inequalities. They advocated for continued research to explore how various approaches can be integrated and adapted to meet the diverse needs of different populations.