Outdoor experiences and outdoor-based activities and interventions for individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic scoping review

This systematic scoping review examined outdoor activities and interventions among people with spinal cord injury. By analysing 89 peer-reviewed studies, the research catalogued findings into 9 categories under 3 themes. The first theme highlighted the varied experiences and outcomes of engaging in outdoor recreational activities and nature exposure. The second theme focused on the facilitators and barriers encountered. The third theme examined outdoor testing of specialized equipment and tools. Participants reported generally positive experiences with outdoor activities and nature, though they faced several obstacles. The findings suggest the need for future research to further investigate outdoor-based rehabilitation and improve methodological quality. Promoting varied outdoor activities could support recovery by providing physical, psychological, and social health benefits.
However, successful implementation requires overcoming numerous barriers with strong commitment from health professionals and policymakers. Future studies should explore transitioning indoor rehabilitation to outdoor settings to better understand and enhance health outcomes.