Therapeutic climbing

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Therapeutic climbing, also known as climbing therapy or bouldering psychotherapy (BPT), is a structured form of climbing used for mental and physical health interventions. It integrates psychotherapeutic principles such as goal setting, emotion regulation, and self-efficacy building into climbing sessions. [1]

Contents

Background

Therapeutic climbing combines physical exertion, cognitive challenge, and social interaction in a structured environment. It was formalized in Germany as Bouldering Psychotherapy (BPT), a manualized program shown to be comparable in efficacy to group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). [2]

Mental health effects

Randomized controlled trials show that structured climbing interventions can significantly reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms. [2] [3] Single-session studies report immediate improvements in mood and reductions in anxiety. [4] [5] Other studies found increases in self-efficacy and self-esteem following multi-week interventions. [6] Qualitative research describes therapeutic climbing as promoting mindfulness, social connection, and intrinsic motivation. [1] [7]

Public and environmental health perspective

Therapeutic climbing aligns with the One Health and public health frameworks by illustrating how interaction with physical and natural environments supports psychological resilience and social well-being. Hospital, community, and outdoor climbing programs demonstrate how built and natural environments can serve as preventive health tools. A 2023 evaluation of a green social prescribing program that included climbing found a social return of approximately £5 for every £1 invested through improved mental health and community cohesion. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 Frühauf, A.; Heußner, J.; Niedermeier, M.; Kopp, M. (2021). "Expert Views on Therapeutic Climbing—A Multi-Perspective, Qualitative Study". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (7): 3535. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18073535 . PMC   8036516 . PMID   33805430.
  2. 1 2 Luttenberger, K.; Karg-Hefner, N.; Berking, M.; Kind, L.; Weiss, M.; Kornhuber, J.; Dorscht, L. (2022). "Bouldering psychotherapy is not inferior to cognitive behavioural therapy in the group treatment of depression: A randomized controlled trial". The British Journal of Clinical Psychology. 61 (2): 465–493. doi:10.1111/bjc.12347. PMID   34791669.
  3. ↑ Karg, N.; Dorscht, L.; Kornhuber, J.; Luttenberger, K. (2020). "Bouldering psychotherapy is more effective in the treatment of depression than physical exercise alone: Results of a multicentre randomised controlled intervention study". BMC Psychiatry. 20 (1): 116. doi: 10.1186/s12888-020-02518-y . PMC   7066840 . PMID   32164679.
  4. ↑ Kleinstäuber, M.; Reuter, M.; Doll, N.; Fallgatter, A. J. (2017). "Rock climbing and acute emotion regulation in patients with major depressive disorder in the context of a psychological inpatient treatment: A controlled pilot trial". Psychology Research and Behavior Management. 10: 277–281. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S143830 . PMC   5566792 . PMID   28860880.
  5. ↑ Thaller, L.; Frühauf, A.; Heimbeck, A.; Voderholzer, U.; Kopp, M. (2022). "A Comparison of Acute Effects of Climbing Therapy with Nordic Walking for Inpatient Adults with Mental Health Disorder: A Clinical Pilot Trial". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (11): 6767. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116767 . PMC   9180369 . PMID   35682348.
  6. ↑ Kratzer, A.; Luttenberger, K.; Karg-Hefner, N.; Weiss, M.; Dorscht, L. (2021). "Bouldering psychotherapy is effective in enhancing perceived self-efficacy in people with depression: Results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial". BMC Psychology. 9 (1): 126. doi: 10.1186/s40359-021-00627-1 . PMC   8393466 . PMID   34446114.
  7. ↑ Osborne, E. C.; Rose, J.; Reeves, L.; Spear, K.; Coleman, M. E.; Brusseau, T. A. J.; Franchek-Roa, K.; Kamimura, A. (2025). "Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers". PLOS ONE. 20 (4) e0321542. Bibcode:2025PLoSO..2021542O. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321542 . PMC   12040214 . PMID   40299850.
  8. ↑ Makanjuola, A.; Lynch, M.; Hartfiel, N.; Cuthbert, A.; Edwards, R. T. (2023). "Prevention of Poor Physical and Mental Health through the Green Social Prescribing Opening Doors to the Outdoors Programme: A Social Return on Investment Analysis". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 20 (12): 6111. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20126111 . PMC   10298668 . PMID   37372698.
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