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Dr. Dorthe Poulsen
Department of Science, Department of Geoscience and Nature Resources

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Horticultural Therapy
0 Horticultural science
0 Stress and coping strategies
0 outdoor environment
0 Nature-based infrastructure

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Journal article
Published: 03 June 2021 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Research points to the health benefits of rehabilitation in urban green spaces. Nevertheless, more studies indicate complexity of utilising urban green spaces in an established health system context. An understanding of challenges related to rehabilitation in urban green spaces remains unaddressed. Therefore, the aim was to describe and analyse people with disabilities’ and health professionals’ perceptions on combining traditional indoor rehabilitation practice with an urban green rehabilitation context. The interpretive description methodology was applied supplemented by Edgar Schein’s Model of Organisational Culture. Three online focus group interviews were conducted with people with disabilities (n = 4) and health professionals (n = 10). Three interrelated themes formed an understanding of rehabilitation practice in an urban green rehabilitation context: “ambivalence due to contextual change”, “negotiating rehabilitation assumptions” and “expanding the frame of rehabilitation”. Expanding the frame of rehabilitation to an urban green context may provide a basis for enhancing compatibility to everyday life for people with disabilities and still accommodate structural quality standards of professional rehabilitation practice.

ACS Style

Louise Madsen; Dorthe Poulsen; Claus Nielsen; Charlotte Handberg. “It Was Definitely an Eye-Opener to Me”—People with Disabilities’ and Health Professionals’ Perceptions on Combining Traditional Indoor Rehabilitation Practice with an Urban Green Rehabilitation Context. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 5994 .

AMA Style

Louise Madsen, Dorthe Poulsen, Claus Nielsen, Charlotte Handberg. “It Was Definitely an Eye-Opener to Me”—People with Disabilities’ and Health Professionals’ Perceptions on Combining Traditional Indoor Rehabilitation Practice with an Urban Green Rehabilitation Context. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (11):5994.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Louise Madsen; Dorthe Poulsen; Claus Nielsen; Charlotte Handberg. 2021. "“It Was Definitely an Eye-Opener to Me”—People with Disabilities’ and Health Professionals’ Perceptions on Combining Traditional Indoor Rehabilitation Practice with an Urban Green Rehabilitation Context." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 11: 5994.

Journal article
Published: 16 October 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Background: Globally, the number of refugees is growing. For many refugees, entering the labor market in their new country of residence is challenging. Some remain forever dependent on welfare services, and this not only weakens their chances of integration, but also harms their health and well-being. Methods: This qualitative single case study focused on a group of war-stricken refugees in Denmark. The study investigated the impact of an eight-month horticultural vocational program aimed at improving their ability to complete an education program or to work. A total of 29 interviews were conducted and analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method. Results: The natural environment in the eco-village evoked a feeling of safety as well as positive memories in the participants, in contrast to the traumatic memories they had of their flight. Horticultural activities and the positive and respectful attitude from staff initiated a recovery process. New skills were achieved at an individual pace, and feelings of isolation decreased. These findings can be implicated in future interventions.

ACS Style

Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Anna María Pálsdóttir; Sasja Iza Christensen; Lotta Wilson; Sigurd Wiingaard Uldall. Therapeutic Nature Activities: A Step Toward the Labor Market for Traumatized Refugees. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 7542 .

AMA Style

Dorthe Varning Poulsen, Anna María Pálsdóttir, Sasja Iza Christensen, Lotta Wilson, Sigurd Wiingaard Uldall. Therapeutic Nature Activities: A Step Toward the Labor Market for Traumatized Refugees. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (20):7542.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Anna María Pálsdóttir; Sasja Iza Christensen; Lotta Wilson; Sigurd Wiingaard Uldall. 2020. "Therapeutic Nature Activities: A Step Toward the Labor Market for Traumatized Refugees." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 20: 7542.

Articles
Published: 08 January 2020 in Journal of Social Work Practice
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Being in nature and doing nature-based activities has been shown to reduce stress-related illnesses such as trauma and post-traumatic stress disorders. In 2016, the crisis shelter Danner in Denmark decided to implement a programme based on the therapeutic use of nature as a recovery method for their residents: women and children exposed to domestic violence. This was done in collaboration with the research group of University of Copenhagen. This paper describes the objectives of the project, the development of an educational programme and the implementation of nature-based therapy. The Danish model for qualifications in education developed by the Danish Ministry of Education was the overall structural framework for the programme. The education programme contained four overall elements: (1) a theoretical part on the nature–health relationship; (2) performance and development of practical nature activities in collaboration with staff; (3) case stories about the challenges of implementing nature-based therapy for the residents in the crisis shelter; and (4) the implementation phase of nature-based therapy at Danner. Developing qualifications related to the use of nature-activities and the use of nature-environment might be useful for social workers and strengthen their competences in their work with battered women and children.

ACS Style

Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Victoria Linn Lygum; Hanne Gro Djernis; Ulrika K. Stigsdotter. Nature is just around us! Development of an educational program for implementation of nature-based activities at a crisis shelter for women and children exposed to domestic violence. Journal of Social Work Practice 2020, 35, 159 -175.

AMA Style

Dorthe Varning Poulsen, Victoria Linn Lygum, Hanne Gro Djernis, Ulrika K. Stigsdotter. Nature is just around us! Development of an educational program for implementation of nature-based activities at a crisis shelter for women and children exposed to domestic violence. Journal of Social Work Practice. 2020; 35 (2):159-175.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Victoria Linn Lygum; Hanne Gro Djernis; Ulrika K. Stigsdotter. 2020. "Nature is just around us! Development of an educational program for implementation of nature-based activities at a crisis shelter for women and children exposed to domestic violence." Journal of Social Work Practice 35, no. 2: 159-175.

Review
Published: 02 September 2019 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Research has proven that both mindfulness training and exposure to nature have positive health effects. The purpose of this study was to systematically review quantitative studies of mindfulness interventions conducted in nature (nature-based mindfulness), and to analyze the effects through meta-analyses. Electronic searches revealed a total of 25 studies to be included, examining 2990 participants. Three analyses were conducted: Nature-based mindfulness interventions evaluated as open trials (k = 13), nature-based mindfulness compared with groups in non-active control conditions (k = 5), and nature-based mindfulness compared with similar interventions but without contact with nature (k = 7). The overall combined psychological, physiological, and interpersonal effects from pre- to post-intervention were statistically significant and of medium size (g = 0.54, p < 0.001). Moderation analyses showed that natural environments characterized as forests/wild nature obtained larger numerical effects than environments characterized as gardens/parks, as did informal mindfulness compared with formal mindfulness. The small number of studies included, as well as the heterogeneity and generally low quality of the studies, must be taken into consideration when the results are interpreted. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42017065639.

ACS Style

Dorthe Djernis; Inger Lerstrup; Dorthe Poulsen; Ulrika Stigsdotter; Jesper Dahlgaard; Mia O’Toole; O’ Toole. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nature-Based Mindfulness: Effects of Moving Mindfulness Training into an Outdoor Natural Setting. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 3202 .

AMA Style

Dorthe Djernis, Inger Lerstrup, Dorthe Poulsen, Ulrika Stigsdotter, Jesper Dahlgaard, Mia O’Toole, O’ Toole. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nature-Based Mindfulness: Effects of Moving Mindfulness Training into an Outdoor Natural Setting. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (17):3202.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dorthe Djernis; Inger Lerstrup; Dorthe Poulsen; Ulrika Stigsdotter; Jesper Dahlgaard; Mia O’Toole; O’ Toole. 2019. "A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nature-Based Mindfulness: Effects of Moving Mindfulness Training into an Outdoor Natural Setting." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 17: 3202.

Review
Published: 16 May 2019 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Background: In modern, urban daily life, natural environments are increasingly recognized as an important resource for stress recovery and general well-being. Aim: the present review aims to provide an overview and synthesis of the past eight years’ research into the psycho-physiological effects of outdoor nature-based interventions, related to stress recovery. Method: a structured search was performed in seven databases, returning 5618 articles. Removal of duplicates and initial screening gave a total of 95 studies. After full text reading, 36 studies were included in the assessment. Results: most of the psychological outcomes were related to different emotional measures. The synthesis of the results points towards outdoor, nature-based exposure having a positive effect on different emotional parameters, related to stress relief. The studies into physiological measures showed more equivocal results. Conclusion: the research, conducted over the past eight years, into outdoor, nature-based exposure has now attained a sound evidence base for psychological and especially emotional effects, but the evidence base for physiological effects within this timeframe shows a great degree of heterogeneity. Limitations: interpretation of the results is limited by the review only covering the past eight years’ research on the subject.

ACS Style

Sus Sola Corazon; Ulrik Sidenius; Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Marie Christoffersen Gramkow; Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter. Psycho-Physiological Stress Recovery in Outdoor Nature-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of the Past Eight Years of Research. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 1711 .

AMA Style

Sus Sola Corazon, Ulrik Sidenius, Dorthe Varning Poulsen, Marie Christoffersen Gramkow, Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter. Psycho-Physiological Stress Recovery in Outdoor Nature-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of the Past Eight Years of Research. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (10):1711.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sus Sola Corazon; Ulrik Sidenius; Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Marie Christoffersen Gramkow; Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter. 2019. "Psycho-Physiological Stress Recovery in Outdoor Nature-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of the Past Eight Years of Research." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 10: 1711.

Journal article
Published: 14 January 2019 in Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
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ACS Style

Sus Sola Corazon; Marie Christoffersen Gramkow; Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Victoria Linn Lygum; Gaochao Zhang; Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter; Marie Christofferen Gramkov. I Would Really like to Visit the Forest, but it is Just Too Difficult: A Qualitative Study on Mobility Disability and Green Spaces. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research 2019, 20, 1 -13.

AMA Style

Sus Sola Corazon, Marie Christoffersen Gramkow, Dorthe Varning Poulsen, Victoria Linn Lygum, Gaochao Zhang, Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, Marie Christofferen Gramkov. I Would Really like to Visit the Forest, but it is Just Too Difficult: A Qualitative Study on Mobility Disability and Green Spaces. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research. 2019; 20 (1):1-13.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sus Sola Corazon; Marie Christoffersen Gramkow; Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Victoria Linn Lygum; Gaochao Zhang; Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter; Marie Christofferen Gramkov. 2019. "I Would Really like to Visit the Forest, but it is Just Too Difficult: A Qualitative Study on Mobility Disability and Green Spaces." Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research 20, no. 1: 1-13.

Clinical trial
Published: 08 November 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Binge eating disorder (BED), characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating with a subjective experience of lack of control, is the world’s most common eating disorder. The aim of the present pilot study was to examine the feasibility of implementing nature-based therapy (NBT) in the treatment of BED. The NBT intervention was compared to Support Group Meetings (SGMs), which are the only publicly available form of support for people diagnosed with BED in Denmark. Twenty participants with a BED diagnosis were included in the study, which had a mixed-methods design including Eating Disorder Examination interviews, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires measuring well-being (The Psychological General Well-Being Index) and self-esteem (Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale). Both the NBT and the SGMs showed positive results on all outcome measures (decreases in binge eating episodes and increases in general psychological well-being and self-esteem). The interviews indicated that the NBT context made the psychotherapeutic content more accessible to the participants and further helped them transfer the therapeutic gains to daily life after completing treatment. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size—ideally, they would need to be tested on a larger, randomized sample.

ACS Style

Sus Sola Corazon; Ulrik Sidenius; Katrine Schjødt Vammen; Sabine Elm Klinker; Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter; Dorthe Varning Poulsen. The Tree Is My Anchor: A Pilot Study on the Treatment of BED through Nature-Based Therapy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 2486 .

AMA Style

Sus Sola Corazon, Ulrik Sidenius, Katrine Schjødt Vammen, Sabine Elm Klinker, Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, Dorthe Varning Poulsen. The Tree Is My Anchor: A Pilot Study on the Treatment of BED through Nature-Based Therapy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (11):2486.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sus Sola Corazon; Ulrik Sidenius; Katrine Schjødt Vammen; Sabine Elm Klinker; Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter; Dorthe Varning Poulsen. 2018. "The Tree Is My Anchor: A Pilot Study on the Treatment of BED through Nature-Based Therapy." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 11: 2486.

Journal article
Published: 14 June 2018 in Healthcare
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Serving in the military leads to mental diseases, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for a percentage of soldiers globally. The number of veterans with PTSD is increasing and, although medication and psychological treatments are offered, treatment results could be improved. Historically, different forms of nature-based therapy have been used for this target group. However, in spite of anecdotally good results, studies measuring the effect of this form of therapy are still lacking. The aim of this study is to explore how veterans with PTSD manage their everyday lives during and after a ten-week nature-based intervention in a therapy garden. Methods: Eight veterans participated in qualitative interviews, which were conducted during a one-year period and were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: Five themes emerged from the IPA analysis: Bodily symptoms; relationships; building new identities; the future; and lessons learned. All the participating veterans gained a greater insight into and mastering of their condition, achieved better control of their lives, and developed tools to handle life situations more appropriately and to build a new identity. This improved their ability to participate in social activities and employment. Conclusion: The results should be considered in the future treatment of veterans with PTSD.

ACS Style

Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Ulrika K. Stigsdotter; Annette Sofie Davidsen. “That Guy, Is He Really Sick at All?” An Analysis of How Veterans with PTSD Experience Nature-Based Therapy. Healthcare 2018, 6, 64 .

AMA Style

Dorthe Varning Poulsen, Ulrika K. Stigsdotter, Annette Sofie Davidsen. “That Guy, Is He Really Sick at All?” An Analysis of How Veterans with PTSD Experience Nature-Based Therapy. Healthcare. 2018; 6 (2):64.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Ulrika K. Stigsdotter; Annette Sofie Davidsen. 2018. "“That Guy, Is He Really Sick at All?” An Analysis of How Veterans with PTSD Experience Nature-Based Therapy." Healthcare 6, no. 2: 64.

Comparative study
Published: 15 January 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Stress-related illnesses are a growing health problem in the Western world; which also has economic significance for society. As a consequence; there is a growing demand for effective treatments. The study investigates the long-term efficacy of the Nacadia® nature-based therapy (NNBT) by comparing it to the efficacy of a validated cognitive behavioral therapy, called STreSS. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial in which 84 participants are randomly allocated between the treatments. Long-term efficacy is investigated through data extracts from the national database of Statistics Denmark on the sick leave and the health-care consumption. The results show that both the NNBT and the STreSS lead to a significant decrease in number of contacts with a general practitioner in the period from twelve months prior to treatment to twelve months after treatment; and, a significant decrease in long-term sick leave from the month prior to treatment to twelve months after treatment. The positive long-term effects provide validation for the NNBT as an efficient treatment of stress-related illnesses.

ACS Style

Sus Sola Corazon; Patrik Karlsson Nyed; Ulrik Sidenius; Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter. A Long-Term Follow-Up of the Efficacy of Nature-Based Therapy for Adults Suffering from Stress-Related Illnesses on Levels of Healthcare Consumption and Sick-Leave Absence: A Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 137 .

AMA Style

Sus Sola Corazon, Patrik Karlsson Nyed, Ulrik Sidenius, Dorthe Varning Poulsen, Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter. A Long-Term Follow-Up of the Efficacy of Nature-Based Therapy for Adults Suffering from Stress-Related Illnesses on Levels of Healthcare Consumption and Sick-Leave Absence: A Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (1):137.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sus Sola Corazon; Patrik Karlsson Nyed; Ulrik Sidenius; Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter. 2018. "A Long-Term Follow-Up of the Efficacy of Nature-Based Therapy for Adults Suffering from Stress-Related Illnesses on Levels of Healthcare Consumption and Sick-Leave Absence: A Randomized Controlled Trial." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 1: 137.

Review
Published: 29 June 2017 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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This study systematically evaluated the scientific evidence for health benefits of natural environments for people with mobility impairments. Literature searches based on five categories of terms—target group, nature type, health-related impacts, nature-related activities and accessibility issues—were conducted in four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, CAB ABSTRACT and Medline). Twenty-seven articles from 4196 hits were included in the systematic reviews. We concluded that people with mobility disabilities could gain different health benefits, including physical health benefits, mental health benefits and social health benefits from nature in different kinds of nature contacts ranging from passive contact, active involvement to rehabilitative interventions. Several issues related to the accessibility and use of nature for people with mobility impairments need attention from professionals such as landscape architects, rehabilitative therapists, caregivers and policy makers. The overall quality of methodology of the included studies is not high based on assessment of the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Moreover, more randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies that focus specifically on evidence-based health design of nature for people with mobility impairments in the future are needed.

ACS Style

Gaochao Zhang; Dorthe V. Poulsen; Victoria L. Lygum; Sus S. Corazon; Marie C. Gramkow; Ulrika K. Stigsdotter. Health-Promoting Nature Access for People with Mobility Impairments: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2017, 14, 703 .

AMA Style

Gaochao Zhang, Dorthe V. Poulsen, Victoria L. Lygum, Sus S. Corazon, Marie C. Gramkow, Ulrika K. Stigsdotter. Health-Promoting Nature Access for People with Mobility Impairments: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017; 14 (7):703.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gaochao Zhang; Dorthe V. Poulsen; Victoria L. Lygum; Sus S. Corazon; Marie C. Gramkow; Ulrika K. Stigsdotter. 2017. "Health-Promoting Nature Access for People with Mobility Impairments: A Systematic Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14, no. 7: 703.

Original articles
Published: 01 January 2017 in International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
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Evidence confirms that nature-based therapy (NBT) has a positive effect on people with mental illnesses. However, there is a lack of evidence on the meaning of NBT for specific patient groups. The Nacadia® Therapy Garden was designed according to an evidence-based design process, and an NBT programme was developed. The aim of the study was to illuminate the phenomenon of participants’ lived experience of the NBT in Nacadia. Fourteen participants took part in semi-structured interviews (SSIs), and by way of reflective lifeworld research, the SSIs were analysed to identify and describe the meanings of the phenomenon. The essence of the phenomenon was found to be a process of adopting a searching approach to NBT and Nacadia to become familiar with the conditions. This familiarity stimulated the development of confidentiality and attachment to Nacadia. Feeling protected, safe, cared for, and not exposed was important, and motivated feelings of freedom, reduced demands, and increased the ability to access and try a spectrum of NBT activities. It encouraged participants to develop personal approaches and coping strategies to implement in their everyday lives for moving on.

ACS Style

Ulrik Sidenius; Ulrika K. Stigsdotter; Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Terese Bondas. “I look at my own forest and fields in a different way”: the lived experience of nature-based therapy in a therapy garden when suffering from stress-related illness. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being 2017, 12, 1324700 .

AMA Style

Ulrik Sidenius, Ulrika K. Stigsdotter, Dorthe Varning Poulsen, Terese Bondas. “I look at my own forest and fields in a different way”: the lived experience of nature-based therapy in a therapy garden when suffering from stress-related illness. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. 2017; 12 (1):1324700.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ulrik Sidenius; Ulrika K. Stigsdotter; Dorthe Varning Poulsen; Terese Bondas. 2017. "“I look at my own forest and fields in a different way”: the lived experience of nature-based therapy in a therapy garden when suffering from stress-related illness." International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being 12, no. 1: 1324700.