Exploring the use of nature-based expressive arts therapy for mental health and well-being: a scoping review

Abstract

Abstract Aim: This scoping review maps current literature on Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy (NB-ExAT) regarding mental health and well-being. It describes the conceptual and theoretical foundations within the mapped evidence, exploring how integrating various creative modalities—including visual arts, movement, music, drama, and writing—with natural elements is characterized in relation to sensory awareness, emotional regulation, and self-expression Methods: Guided by PRISMA-ScR and the PCC framework, a systematic search of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar (2019–2026) yielded 1,612 records. Of these, 18 primary studies met the predetermined inclusion criteria and were selected for final descriptive synthesis. Results: The mapped evidence suggests NB-ExAT operates across three conceptual dimensions: material-based engagement, environment-based sensory grounding, and concept-based ecological relatedness. Interventions spanned diverse modalities—predominantly visual arts, but increasingly music, drama, and multimodal frameworks—implemented across direct outdoor, managed indoor, and virtual settings. Reported outcomes indicate a multidimensional spectrum of well-being benefits, concurrently linking psychological anxiety alleviation with somatic sensory grounding and broader interpersonal connectedness, while demonstrating the framework's versatility for populations facing physical or spatial constraints. Conclusion: The reviewed literature suggests that the integration of natural environments and expressive arts is associated with emotional reflection, sensory engagement, and meaning-making processes. The findings indicate that NB-ExAT is increasingly conceptualized as a flexible approach connecting psychological well-being with ecological engagement across diverse settings.