The Wild Man Programme - a Nature-based Rehabilitation Enhancing Quality of Life for Men on Long-term Sick Leave

Overview

The aim of the present study is to examine whether the nature based 'Wild man Programme' can help to increase quality of life among men on sick leave compared to treatment as usual. Additionally, the study examines which natural environments best work as supportive environments in the rehabilitation.

Many men in Denmark have poor mental health and need help to recover. However, designing a rehabilitation intervention appealing to men is challenging. The 'Wild man Programme' is a rehabilitation programme for men on long-term sick leave and with clinical or self-reported stress due to prolonged health problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease or diabetes. The programme is a nature-based rehabilitation (NBR) initiative combining nature experiences, attention training, body awareness training and supporting community spirit. The aim of the present study is to examine whether the 'Wild man Programme' can help to increase quality of life among men on sick leave compared to treatment as usual. Additionally, the study examines which natural environments best work as supportive environments in the rehabilitation. A matched control study comparing an intervention group (N=38) which receives a nine-week nature-based intervention to a control group (N=38) receiving case management as treatment as usual in the municipalities. Outcomes are measured at baseline (T1), post treatment (T2), and at follow-up 6 months post intervention (T3). The primary outcome is an improvement in quality of life and the secondary outcome is a decrease in stress level. With the 'Wild man Programme' we investigate whether it is a model that can be implemented in the health system in Denmark to help men with different kinds of health problems improve their quality of life and stress levels. The programme can also deliver valuable information for future nature-based rehabilitation for women (Wild woman) and mixed gender groups. The project will also contribute with information on whether the method and the concept can be a valuable tool for health professionals in the health sector.