Purpose: To review the present literature that evaluates the therapeutic effects of nature on hospitalized patients as compared to urban decoration or a standard hospital atmosphere.
Background: Research on the topic of nature’s effects on hospitalized patients began in 1984 by Ulrich. While this study brought forth many positive effects of nature, further study on the subject has only recently been continued. Reviews on whether or not there is evidence to support nature in hospitals are limited and have only begun to be addressed in practice.
Methods: Articles published between 2008 and 2013 found in Pub Med, One Search, Ebsco, and Medline were reviewed that contained the following keywords: nature, nature in hospitals, gardens, hospital gardens, gardens in hospitals, scenery, hospital landscape, hospital scenery, plants, or plants in hospitals.
Findings: The current evidence base supports the use of nature for hospitalized patients because of its therapeutic effects of decreasing pain, reducing stress, decreasing healing time, and uplifting their mood.
Conclusions: The positive effects of nature which arose from the literature reviewed indicate the priority to incorporate nature into hospitalized settings to improve patient care and outcomes
