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Session Chair: Carina S. Bichler, Medical University Innsbruck
Location:ROOM 203
(45' Discussion will follow)
Presentations
9:00am - 9:15am
Patients' experiences with therapeutic climbing: A qualitative study of its impact
Carina S. Bichler1, Anika Frühauf2, Linda K. Rausch2, Mirjam Limmer3, Rene Gorfer2, Sina Löffler2, Vera Wallner1, Martin Kopp2, Katharina Hüfner1
1Medical University Innsbruck, Austria; 2Department of Sport Science, University Innsbruck; 3Institute of Outdoor Sports and Environmental Science, German Sports University Cologne
Background
Therapeutic climbing is increasingly used to treat mental health disorders, yet its subjective benefits remain underexplored. This qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of individuals undergoing therapeutic climbing to uncover its therapeutic potential.
Methods
Outpatients diagnosed with anxiety disorders or comorbid anxiety and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) participated in eight 90‐minute therapeutic climbing sessions led by trained therapists. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted to capture their views and experiences, and the data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.
Results
Participants described a range of positive experiences, barriers, and transfer effects. Key positive themes included a sense of mastery, enhanced group cohesion, and improved cognitive focus—reflecting successes in overcoming anxiety, building trust, and maintaining present-moment awareness. Reported barriers comprised both psychological challenges (e.g., heightened anxiety) and physical limitations (e.g., exhaustion). Notably, participants experienced lasting improvements in calmness, persistence, and motivation, suggesting sustained benefits beyond the climbing sessions.
Discussion
These findings highlight the multifaceted impact of therapeutic climbing on anxiety and PTSD. In addition to corroborating previous quantitative evidence on symptom reduction and self-efficacy, the study reveals unique benefits such as reframing anxiety and fostering social trust. Integrating qualitative perspectives is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of climbing interventions’ therapeutic potential.
9:15am - 9:30am
Participation Action Research at the Development of Social Farming
Ilona Liliána Birtalan1,2, József Rácz2,3
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University; 2Qualitative Psychology Research Group, Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University; 3Department of Addictology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University
Recognizing that agriculture and food systems offer a range of integrated services, this study explores how a certain local farmer can contribute its best to the social, educational, civic and nutritional impacts of its local food system activities in urban settings.
Participatory action research (PAR) is a scholar–activist research approach that emphasizes experiential knowledge to tackle problems stemming from unequal social systems and develop alternatives. The first author via the cooperation with the second author were working more than one year long in a certain local food community to generate new knowledge and drive social change.
After five years, we recognized how the certain farm changed its model within the local food system (farmer-to-consumer interaction) and altered its social relationship structure (peer-advising network), or reinforced some elements of its projects whereas finished others (collective action-reflection). As a result, we observed, analyzed, reflected on our actions and their impact to gain insights, refine understanding of the social change.
As a result of the research, we can see that researchers have various opportunities to support sustainable development in the local level via PAR, particularly through their involvement in local dialogues.
