Long-Term Exposure to Greenspace and Cognitive Function during the Lifespan: A Systematic Review

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 16;19(18):11700. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191811700.

Abstract

Recent advances in environmental psychology highlighted the beneficial role of greenspace exposure on cognition. We conducted a systematic review of the available studies on the association of long-term exposure to greenspace and cognitive functions across the lifespan. PRISMA guidelines and the PECOs method were applied to screen for eligible studies. Twenty-five studies from Scopus, PubMed, and PsycINFO met the inclusion criteria. Six studies were longitudinal and nineteen cross-sectional. Fifteen studies focused on schoolchildren, six studies on adults, and four on the elderly. Twenty studies used the NDVI to assess greenspace exposure and the remaining used other indexes. Eight studies employed academic achievement as the outcome, eight studies global cognition, six studies attention/executive functions, and three studies memory. The evidence was inconsistent but suggestive for a beneficial role of greenspace exposure on cognitive functions. Further studies are required, especially among adults and older people, by adopting longitudinal designs.

Keywords: Bayesian average; attention; cognitive functions; executive functions; greenspace; memory; visuospatial.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Cognition
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Executive Function
  • Humans
  • Longevity*
  • Parks, Recreational*

Grants and funding

E.R. was supported by the project “EN.G.AGE.—The linking between ENvironment and coGnitive AGEing”. Action was cofunded by POR Puglia FESR FSE 2014–2020-Asse X-Azione 10.4. (CUP Code: H96D20000320008). G.Sp. was supported by the project “Role of PSychological and social factors in the conservation of biodivErsity and the ECOsystemic heritage for the fight against climate change (PsEEco)”, action was cofunded by Programma Operativo (PON) Ricerca E Innovazione 2014–2020-Azione IV.6 “Contratti di ricerca su tematiche Green” (CUP H95F21001420006). A.L. was supported by the project “A-WAND! Strengthening the skills of self-monitoring and preventing the risk of accidents in and outdoors in a population of elderly people in the South of Italy”. Action was funded by Research for Innovation (REFIN)-POR Puglia FESR FSE 2014-2020-Asse X-Azione 10.4. (Grant Code 8C40CDAA). P.D. was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019–2023” Program (CEX2018-000806-S), and by the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA Program to ISGlobal. G.S., A.B. and A.O.C. were supported by the project “GAME—Green, smArt and Mobile urban communitiEs: promotion of inclusive, equitable and integrated social policies for human well-being in cities”, funded by University of Studies of Bari.