치유농업의 건강 영향에 대한 국내 연구의 체계적 문헌고찰

A Systematic Review of Korean Studies on the Health Effects of Care Farming

Care farming promotes psychological, social, cognitive, and physical health by utilizing agricultural and rural resources. Recently, interest in care farming has grown as a potential solution to various social challenges, such as rising mental health issues associated with urban stress and increasing social isolation among aging populations. Although numerous studies exist, few have synthesized the findings or provided future research directions. This study systematically reviews 19 domestic studies on the health effects of care farming and suggests directions for future research. Results show that research has increased since 2020, with contributions from diverse fields such as health, agriculture, and horticulture. Horticultural therapy was most common, with insect, forest, and urban gardening interventions showing positive effects on stress, depression, and cognitive and emotional functions. To integrate care farming into healthy city initiatives, increased attention from healthcare researchers, standardization of practices, and policy support are recommended.