Nature-based Therapies in Stroke Rehabilitation

Nature-based Therapies Supporting Conventional Therapies in Promoting Stroke Rehabilitation: a Randomised Controlled Pilot Study.

Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Jyvaskyla, Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, Natural Resources Institute Finland, University of Helsinki

Stroke rehabilitation patients are subjected to additional nature-based therapies during a rehabilitation ward period.

Inward stroke rehabilitation patients are selected randomly into two groups: intervention and control groups in proportions 1-2:1. Blood samples and microbiom samples of saliva, skin and feces are taken from all patients prior to interventions. These are controlled after 4 weeks from the beginning of the study and 3 months after signing-off the ward. Questionnaires eg on moods, life quality and function deficits are conducted in the beginning of the study, after 4 weeks from the start and 3 months after signing-off. Physiological measurements will be done to observe autonomic nerve status. The interventions consisting of therapy sessions in the hospital nearby nature will be conducted trice a week one of them being an individual nature-visit with the research worker, one in group and one with family-member or volunteer. The moods and quality of life of the family-member participating in the study will also be followed up. The control group is adviced to do simple, more conventional rehabilitative tasks indoors.

Inclusion Criteria: Acute/Subacute stroke, rehabilitation ward patient Exclusion Criteria: Incapable of independent decision making Traumatic bleeding in brain tissue Severe aphasia Severe, malign ongoing disease