Virtual Nature as an Intervention for Reducing Stress and Improving Mood in People with Substance Use Disorder

Joint Authors

Reynolds, Lori
Rogers, Oaklee
Benford, Andrew
Ingwaldson, Ammie
Vu, Bethany
Holstege, Tiffany
Alvarado, Korinna

Source

Journal of Addiction

Issue

Vol. 2020, Issue 2020 (31 Dec. 2020), pp.1-7, 7 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2020-05-20

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

7

Main Subjects

Sociology
Public Health

Abstract EN

Substance use disorder (SUD) afflicts a large percentage of the United States population, with negative implications that cost more than $420 billion annually.

This population often experiences negative emotions throughout the recovery process, including anxiety, depression, stress, and negative affect.

Currently, evidence-based treatment strategies for SUD include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, 12-step programs, and mindfulness-based treatment.

One intervention that has not been studied at length among individuals with SUD is use of the natural environment as treatment.

Among other patient populations, nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety by regulating autonomic nervous system function, reducing symptoms of depression, and improving mood.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether viewing nature videos could similarly reduce stress and improve mood in individuals with SUD.

A crossover design was used to compare viewing a nature scene and practicing mindfulness-based activities for women with SUD at a residential treatment facility.

Over four weeks, participants engaged in the two activities for the first 10 minutes of their daily program.

Immediately before and after each 10 minute session, measures were taken for heart rate, in beats per minute (BPM); affect, using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS); and overall mood, using a 10-point rating scale from “very unpleasant” to “pleasant.” Thirty-six women completed the study.

For viewing a nature scene and practicing the mindfulness-based activities, there were statistically significant reductions in mean negative affect scores (p=0.001) and heart rate (p≤0.001).

In addition, for participants in both conditions, overall mood improved significantly (p=0.030).

The results from this study provide initial evidence that viewing nature has similar benefits to MBT in the treatment of stress and negative mood associated with the SUD recovery process and may be an additional, cost-effective treatment strategy for individuals with SUD.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Reynolds, Lori& Rogers, Oaklee& Benford, Andrew& Ingwaldson, Ammie& Vu, Bethany& Holstege, Tiffany…[et al.]. 2020. Virtual Nature as an Intervention for Reducing Stress and Improving Mood in People with Substance Use Disorder. Journal of Addiction،Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1174398

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Reynolds, Lori…[et al.]. Virtual Nature as an Intervention for Reducing Stress and Improving Mood in People with Substance Use Disorder. Journal of Addiction No. 2020 (2020), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1174398

American Medical Association (AMA)

Reynolds, Lori& Rogers, Oaklee& Benford, Andrew& Ingwaldson, Ammie& Vu, Bethany& Holstege, Tiffany…[et al.]. Virtual Nature as an Intervention for Reducing Stress and Improving Mood in People with Substance Use Disorder. Journal of Addiction. 2020. Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1174398

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-1174398