Interventions and referral processes in social prescribing for loneliness

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Responds to queries received from Swedish healthcare and social service providers, or governmental organisations. Queries have a limited scope and the process is designed to enable a more rapid response, typically within two to three months. Reports are based on systematic reviews, that are identified through structured searches and critically appraised for risk of bias.

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Published: Report no: ut202608 Registration no: SBU 2026/633

Question

What systematic reviews have been published regarding interventions and referral on social prescription to reduce loneliness and social isolation?

PICO

  • Population: persons with perceived loneliness
  • Intervention: social prescription with the purpose to reduce or counter loneliness, independent of process or intervention
  • Comparison: other active usual interventions, waitlist or no intervention
  • Outcome: loneliness, social isolation, social contacts, social capital, social participation, social support, sense of beloning, social inclusion, social interaction, social deprivation, social trust, interpersonal relationships, or friendship

Method

A systematic literature search was performed using the following databases: Medline (Ovid), Scopus, PsycInfo, Academic Search Premiere, CINAHL, ERIC, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, SocIndex, och Social Service Abstract / Sociological Abstracts.

All types of systematic reviews were included, and no restrictions were made regarding the study design of the included primary studies. We included systematic reviews in which at least one primary study met at least one of the criteria for population, intervention, or outcome. Information from the reviews concerning primary studies was extracted and presented below.

Two authors independently assessed the abstracts of all identified studies.

Identified literature

27 relevant systematic reviews were identified [1-27]. The mapping of professions and care contexts are presented in Table 1, and the referral process and interventions are presented in Table 2. Risk of bias assessment was not performed, and therefore no results from the included systematic reviews are reported.

Table 1. Included systematic reviews concerning profession of referee and care context.
PROFESSION CONTEXT
  Civil society Municipal health and social care Multi-context Primary health care Hospital School Not defined
Occupational therapist         [1]    
Care coordinator       [2]      
Non-profit organization [3]            
Healthcare personnel, unspecified       [2, 4-14] [1]   [6, 13, 15]
Physician       [1, 2, 5-7, 9, 11-24] [1]    
Multi-profession     [1-3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17, 23, 25] [6]      
Mental health nurse   [23, 26]         [8]
Psychologist           [1]  
Nurse       [6, 14, 22, 23] [2, 13]     [6]
Not defined   [23] [11, 23] [2, 3, 19, 23, 24, 27] [2]    

 

Table 2. Included systematic reviews concerning referral process and type of intervention.
INTER-VENTION REFERRAL PROCESS
  Signposting/ Information site Direct referral Feedback Hub/Organisation Coordinator Combination
Holistic approach [4, 6] [9, 19, 22, 23] [2, 17] [19] [2-23, 27] [8]
Self care         [2, 7, 19]  
Physical activity on prescription   [1]     [1, 3, 27]  
Information       [9] [2, 6, 9, 12]  
Arts on prescription [24] [2, 6, 8, 16, 18, 23, 26]   [26] [2, 3, 6, 12, 15, 19, 20, 24]  
Naturbased intervention [1] [1, 2, 23, 25, 26]     [1-3, 6, 13, 17, 23] [1]
Counselin         [3]  
Support to participate in activity         [2, 9, 15]  
Support group         [3, 6, 12, 15]  
Volontary work     [2]   [12]  

References

  1. Alejandre JC, Chastin S, Irvine KN, Georgiou M, Khanna P, Tieges Z, et al. Contextual Factors and Programme Theories Associated with Implementing Blue Prescription Programmes: A Systematic Realist Review. Health Soc Care Community. 2023;2023:1–24. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6551521
  2. Napierala H, Kruger K, Kuschick D, Heintze C, Herrmann WJ, Holzinger F. Social Prescribing: Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Psychosocial Community Referral Interventions in Primary Care. Int J Integr Care. 2022;22(3):11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.6472
  3. Marshall J, Papavasiliou E, Allan L, Bradbury K, Fox C, Hawkes M, et al. Reimagining Dementia Care: A Complex Intervention Systematic Review on Optimising Social Prescribing (SP) for Carers of People Living With Dementia (PLWD) in the United Kingdom. Health Expect. 2025;28(3):e70286. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70286
  4. Al-Khudairy L, Ayorinde A, Ghosh I, Grove A, Harlock J, Meehan E, et al. Evidence and methods required to evaluate the impact for patients who use social prescribing: a rapid systematic review and qualitative interviews. Health Soc Care Deliv Res. 2022;10(29). Available from: https://doi.org/10.3310/RMJH0230
  5. Bernard K, Wildman JM, Tanner LM, Stoniute A, Still M, Green R, et al. Experiences of Non-Pharmaceutical Primary Care Interventions for Common Mental Health Disorders in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Groups: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(7). Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075237
  6. Dubbeldeman EM, Kiefte-de Jong JC, Ardesch FH, Boelens M, van der Velde LA, van der Steen SGL, et al. Intervention Characteristics and Mechanisms and Their Relationship with the Influence of Social Prescribing: A Systematic Review. Health Soc Care Community. 2024;2024(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5597259
  7. Grover S, Sandhu P, Nijjar GS, Percival A, Chudyk AM, Liang J, et al. Older adults and social prescribing experience, outcomes, and processes: a meta-aggregation systematic review. Public Health. 2023;218:197–207. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2023.02.016
  8. Jensen A, Holt N, Honda S, Bungay H. The impact of arts on prescription on individual health and wellbeing: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Front Public Health. 2024;12:1412306. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1412306
  9. Mossabir R, Morris R, Kennedy A, Blickem C, Rogers A. A scoping review to understand the effectiveness of linking schemes from healthcare providers to community resources to improve the health and well-being of people with long-term conditions. Health Soc Care Community. 2015;23(5):467–84. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12176
  10. Muhl C, Cornish E, Zhou XA, Mulligan K, Bayoumi I, Ashcroft R, et al. Social Prescribing for Children and Youth: A Scoping Review. Health Soc Care Community. 2025;2025(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/5265529
  11. Mulholland J, Galway K, O’Hare L, Bertotti M, Gildea A, Lalani M. The Social Prescribing Link Worker—Clarifying the Role to Harness Potential: A Scoping Review. Health Soc Care Community. 2025;2025(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/4394123
  12. Pescheny JV, Randhawa G, Pappas Y. The impact of social prescribing services on service users: a systematic review of the evidence. Eur J Public Health. 2020;30(4):664–73. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckz078
  13. Sadio R, Henriques A, Nogueira P, Costa A. Social prescription for the elderly: a community-based scoping review. Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2024;25:e46. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423624000410
  14. Yadav UN, Paudel G, Ghimire S, Khatiwada B, Gurung A, Parsekar SS, et al. A rapid review of opportunities and challenges in the implementation of social prescription interventions for addressing the unmet needs of individuals living with long-term chronic conditions. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1):306. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17736-2
  15. Rapo E, Johansson E, Jonsson F, Hornsten A, Lundgren AS, Nilsson I. Critical components of social prescribing programmes with a focus on older adults - a systematic review. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2023;41(3):326–42. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2023.2237078
  16. Ashe MC, Dos Santos IK, Alfares H, Chudyk AM, Esfandiari E. Outcomes and instruments used in social prescribing: a modified umbrella review. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2024;44(6):244–69. Available from: https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.44.6.02
  17. Baker JR, Bissett M, Freak-Poli R, Dingle GA, Zurynski Y, Astell-Burt T, et al. Australian link worker social prescribing programs: An integrative review. PLoS One. 2024;19(11):e0309783. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309783
  18. Bild E, Pachana NA. Social prescribing: A narrative review of how community engagement can improve wellbeing in later life. J Community Appl Soc Psychol. 2022;32(6):1148–215. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2631
  19. Calderon-Larranaga S, Milner Y, Clinch M, Greenhalgh T, Finer S. Tensions and opportunities in social prescribing. Developing a framework to facilitate its implementation and evaluation in primary care: a realist review. BJGP Open. 2021;5(3). Available from: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0017
  20. Dash S, McNamara S, de Courten M, Calder R. Social prescribing for suicide prevention: a rapid review. Front Public Health. 2024;12:1396614. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1396614
  21. Kiely B, Croke A, O'Shea M, Boland F, O'Shea E, Connolly D, et al. Effect of social prescribing link workers on health outcomes and costs for adults in primary care and community settings: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2022;12(10):e062951. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062951
  22. Oliveira D, Henriques A, Nogueira P, Costa A. Impact of social prescribing intervention on people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a primary healthcare context: a systematic literature review of effectiveness. J Public Health (Berl). 2024. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-024-02315-x
  23. Spanos S, Wijekulasuriya S, Ellis LA, Saba M, Schroeder T, Officer C, et al. Integrating Non-Clinical Supports into Care: A Systematic Review of Social Prescribing Referral Pathways for Mental Health, Wellbeing, and Psychosocial Improvement. Int J Integr Care. 2025;25(3):21. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.9127
  24. Staras CO, Wakefield JRH, McDermott DT, Jones BA. An evaluation of the role of social identity processes for enhancing health outcomes within UK‐based social prescribing initiatives designed to increase social connection and reduce loneliness: A systematic review. J Community Appl Soc Psychol. 2024;34(5). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2878
  25. Lavelle Sachs A, Kolster A, Wrigley J, Papon V, Opacin N, Hill N, et al. Connecting through nature: A systematic review of the effectiveness of nature-based social prescribing practices to combat loneliness. Landsc Urban Plan. 2024;248. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2024.105071
  26. Thomas T, Aggar C, Baker J, Massey D, Thomas M, D'Appio D, et al. Social prescribing of nature therapy for adults with mental illness living in the community: A scoping review of peer-reviewed international evidence. Front Psychol. 2022;13:1041675. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1041675
  27. Bos C, de Weger E, Wildeman I, Pannebakker N, Kemper PF. Implement social prescribing successfully towards embedding: what works, for whom and in which context? A rapid realist review. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1):1836. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18688-3

Search strategies

Medline via OvidSP 11 September 2025

Title: Social prescription
/ = Term from the MeSH controlled vocabulary; .sh = Term from the MeSH controlled vocabulary; exp = Term from MeSH including terms found below this term in the MeSH hierarchy; .ti,ab = Title or abstract; .tw = Title or abstract; .kf = Keywords; .kw = Keywords, exact; .bt = Book title. NLM Bookshelf; .pt = Publication type; .ja = Journal abbreviation; .af = All fields; adjn = Adjacent. Proximity operator retrieving adjacent words, adj3 retrieves records with search terms within two terms from each other; * or $ = Truncation; “ “ = Citation Marks; searches for an exact phrase

a. Cochrane Highly Sensitive Search Strategy for identifying randomized trials in MEDLINE: sensitivity- and precision-maximizing version (2008 revision); Ovid format. The Cochrane Collaboration; 2008. Available from: https://training.cochrane.org/handbook/current/chapter-04-technical-supplement-searching-and-selecting-studies#section-3-6-1. with modifications: the following terms are added: clinical trial, phase iii.pt. ; randomised.ab. ; ("Phase 3" or "phase3" or "phase III" or P3 or "PIII").ti,ab,kw.
Search terms Items found
Intervention: Social prescription
1. Social Prescribing/ 33
2. (community prescri* or community referral* or link* scheme* or link worker* or social prescri* or social referral*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 1250
3. ((community) adj2 (navigation or navigator* or connector*)).ti,bt,kf,ab. 246
4. (Community adj2 activit*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 4356
5. (book* on referral* or book* on prescription* or prescribing book*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 6
6. ((nature or gardening) adj3 (prescription* or referral*)).ti,bt,kf,ab. 189
7. ((prescrib*) adj3 (nature or gardening)).ti,bt,kf,ab. 107
8. (eco therap* or ecotherap*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 24
9. (green gym* or (green adj3 prescription*)).ti,bt,kf,ab. 88
10. (time bank*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 29
11. ((signpost* or information*) adj3 (prescription* or referral*)).ti,bt,kf,ab. 3055
12. (art* for health or art* on referral* or art* on prescription* or prescribing art*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 2130
13. (danc* for health or danc* on referral* or danc* on prescription* or prescribing danc*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 92
14. (education* on referral* or education* on prescription* or prescribing education*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 131
15. (exercis* on referral* or exercis* on prescription* or prescribing exercis*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 520
16. (museum* for health or museum* on referral* or museum* on prescription* or prescribing museum*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 49
17. (culture for health or culture on referral* or culture on prescription* or prescribing culture).ti,bt,kf,ab. 1257
18. (heritage for health or heritage on referral* or heritage on prescription* or prescribing heritage).ti,bt,kf,ab. 30
19. (drama for health or drama on referral* or drama on prescription* or prescribing drama).ti,bt,kf,ab. 11
20. (music for health or music on referral* or music on prescription* or prescribing music).ti,bt,kf,ab. 83
21. (singing for health or singing on referral or singing on prescription or prescribing singing).ti,bt,kf,ab. 23
22. (craft* for health or craft* on referral or craft* on prescription or prescribing craft*).ti,bt,kf,ab. 1
23. OR 1-22/ 13 545
Study types: systematic reviews and meta-analysis / randomized controlled trialsa
24. ((Systematic Review/ or Meta-Analysis/ or Cochrane Database Syst Rev.ja. or (((systematic or realist or integrative or qualitative or mixed method* or evidence or critical or scoping or mapping or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic) adj4 (review or synthe*)) or "meta analys*" or metaanalys* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*).ti,bt,ab,kf.) not (editorial/ or letter/ or case reports/)) 748 387
Final result
25. 23 AND 24 894

Scopus via scopus.com 11 September 2025

Title: Social prescription
TITLE-ABS-KEY = Title, abstract or keywords (including indexed keywords and author keywords); ALL = All fields; W/n = Within. Proximity operator retrieving terms within n words from each other; PRE/n = Precedes by. Proximity operator, the first term in the search must precede the second by n words; LIMIT-TO (X) = Includes only results of specified type, e.g., publication type or time range; DOCTYPE = Publication type; “re” = review; “le” = letter; “ed” = editorial; “ch” = book chapter; “cp” = conference proceedings; * = Truncation; “ “ = Citation Marks; searches for an exact phrase
Search terms Items found
Intervention: Social prescription
1. TITLE-ABS-KEY ("community prescri*" OR "community referral*" OR "link* scheme*" OR "link worker*" OR "social prescri*" OR "social referral*") 2095
2. TITLE-ABS-KEY (Community W/2 activit*) 20 791
3. TITLE-ABS-KEY ((Community) W/2 (navigation OR navigator OR connector)) 679
4. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“book* on referral*” OR ”book* on prescription*” OR ”prescribing book*”) 15
5. TITLE-ABS-KEY ((nature OR gardening) W/3 (prescription* OR referral*)) 451
6. TITLE-ABS-KEY ((prescrib*) W/3 (nature OR gardening)) 337
7. TITLE-ABS-KEY (”eco therap*” OR ecotherap*) 184
8. TITLE-ABS-KEY (”green gym*” OR (green W/3 prescription*)) 182
9. TITLE-ABS-KEY ("time bank*") 389
10. TITLE-ABS-KEY ((signpost* OR information) W/3 (prescription* OR referrall*)) 2952
11. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“art* for health” OR “art* on referral” OR “art* on prescription” OR “prescribing art*”) 160
12. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“danc* for health” OR “danc* on referral*” OR “danc* on prescription*” OR “prescribing danc*”) 38
13. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“educat* on referral*” OR “educat* on prescription*” OR “prescribing educat*”) 148
14. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“exercis* on referral*” OR “exercis* on prescription*” OR “prescribing exercis*”) 640
15. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“museum* for health” OR “museum* on referral” OR “museum* on prescription” OR “prescribing museum*”) 6
16. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“culture for health” OR “culture on referral*” OR “culture on prescription*” OR “prescribing culture”) 92
17. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“heritage for health” OR “heritage on referral” OR “heritage on prescription” OR “prescribing heritage”) 0
18. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“drama for health” OR “drama on referral” OR “drama on prescription” OR “prescribing drama”) 2
19. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“music for health” OR “music on referral” OR “music on prescription” OR “prescribing music”) 34
20. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“singing for health” OR “singing on referral” OR “singing on prescription” OR “prescribing singing”) 9
21. TITLE-ABS-KEY (“craft* for health” OR “craft* on referral” OR “craft* on prescription” OR “prescribing craft*”) 3
22. OR 1-21/ 28 978
Study types: systematic reviews and meta-analysis / randomized controlled trials
23. TITLE-ABS ((( systematic OR realist OR integrative OR qualitative OR evidence OR critical OR "mixed method*" or evidence or critical or scoping or mapping or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic) W/3 (review OR synthes*)) OR ("meta analys*" OR metaanalys* OR meta synthe* OR metasynthe* OR "meta narrative" OR meta aggreg* OR meta ethnograph*)) AND (EXCLUDE (DOCTYPE,"le") OR EXCLUDE (DOCTYPE,"ed") OR EXCLUDE (DOCTYPE,"ch") OR EXCLUDE (DOCTYPE,"cp")) 783 763
Final result
24. 22 AND 23 859

APA PsycInfo via EBSCO 15 September 2025

Title: Social prescription
TI = Title; AB = Abstract; SU = Keyword, exact or part (including all other fields for indexed and author keywords); MH = Exact subject heading, indexed keywords; TX = All text; PT = Publication type; Nn = Near. Proximity operator retrieving terms within n words from each other; * = Truncation; “ “ = Citation Marks; searches for an exact phrase

b. Glanville J, Dooley G, Wisniewski S, Foxlee R, Noel-Storr A. Development of a search filter to identify reports of controlled clinical trials within CINAHL Plus. Health Info Libr J. 2019;36(1):73-90. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12251.
Search terms Items found
Intervention: Social prescription
1. DE "Social Prescribing" 111
2. TI (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 4036
3. AB (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 16 558
4. SU (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 848
5. OR 1–5/ 19 037
Study types: systematic reviews and meta-analysis / randomized controlled trialsb
6. TI (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or AB (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or SU (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) 990 660
Final result
7. 5 AND 6 177

Academic Search Premiere via EBSCO 15 September 2025

Title: Social prescription
TI = Title; AB = Abstract; SU = Keyword, exact or part (including all other fields for indexed and author keywords); MH = Exact subject heading, indexed keywords; TX = All text; PT = Publication type; Nn = Near. Proximity operator retrieving terms within n words from each other; * = Truncation; “ “ = Citation Marks; searches for an exact phrase

c. Glanville J, Dooley G, Wisniewski S, Foxlee R, Noel-Storr A. Development of a search filter to identify reports of controlled clinical trials within CINAHL Plus. Health Info Libr J. 2019;36(1):73-90. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12251.
Search terms Items found
Intervention: Social prescription
1. DE "Social Prescribing" 188
2. TI (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 4036
3. AB (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 16 558
4. SU (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 848
5. OR 1–5/ 19 037
Study types: systematic reviews and meta-analysis / randomized controlled trialsc
6. TI (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or AB (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or SU (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) 990 660
Final result
7. 5 AND 6 376

CINAHL SocINDEX via EBSCO 15 September 2025

Title: Social prescription
TI = Title; AB = Abstract; SU = Keyword, exact or part (including all other fields for indexed and author keywords); MH = Exact subject heading, indexed keywords; TX = All text; PT = Publication type; Nn = Near. Proximity operator retrieving terms within n words from each other; * = Truncation; “ “ = Citation Marks; searches for an exact phrase

d. Glanville J, Dooley G, Wisniewski S, Foxlee R, Noel-Storr A. Development of a search filter to identify reports of controlled clinical trials within CINAHL Plus. Health Info Libr J. 2019;36(1):73-90. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12251.
Search terms Items found
Intervention: Social prescription
1. TI (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 1517
2. AB (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 3341
3. SU (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 20
4. OR 1–3/ 4354
Study types: systematic reviews and meta-analysis / randomized controlled trialsd
5. TI (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or AB (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or SU (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) 329 954
Final result
6. 4 AND 5 340

ERIC via EBSCO 15 September 2025

Title: Social prescription
TI = Title; AB = Abstract; SU = Keyword, exact or part (including all other fields for indexed and author keywords); MH = Exact subject heading, indexed keywords; TX = All text; PT = Publication type; Nn = Near. Proximity operator retrieving terms within n words from each other; * = Truncation; “ “ = Citation Marks; searches for an exact phrase

e. Glanville J, Dooley G, Wisniewski S, Foxlee R, Noel-Storr A. Development of a search filter to identify reports of controlled clinical trials within CINAHL Plus. Health Info Libr J. 2019;36(1):73-90. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12251.
Search terms Items found
Intervention: Social prescription
1. TI (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 91
2. AB (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 16 558
3. SU (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 848
4. OR 1–5/ 19 037
Study types: systematic reviews and meta-analysis / randomized controlled trialse
5. TI (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or AB (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or SU (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) 990 660
Final result
6. 4 AND 5 6

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection via EBSCO 15 September 2025

Title: Social prescription
TI = Title; AB = Abstract; SU = Keyword, exact or part (including all other fields for indexed and author keywords); MH = Exact subject heading, indexed keywords; TX = All text; PT = Publication type; Nn = Near. Proximity operator retrieving terms within n words from each other; * = Truncation; “ “ = Citation Marks; searches for an exact phrase

f. Glanville J, Dooley G, Wisniewski S, Foxlee R, Noel-Storr A. Development of a search filter to identify reports of controlled clinical trials within CINAHL Plus. Health Info Libr J. 2019;36(1):73-90. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12251.
Search terms Items found
Intervention: Social prescription
1. TI (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 4036
2. AB (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 16 558
3. SU (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 848
4. OR 1–5/ 19 037
Study types: systematic reviews and meta-analysis / randomized controlled trialsf
5. TI (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or AB (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or SU (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) 990 660
Final result
6. 5 AND 6 39

SocINDEX via EBSCO 15 September 2025

Title: Social prescription
TI = Title; AB = Abstract; SU = Keyword, exact or part (including all other fields for indexed and author keywords); MH = Exact subject heading, indexed keywords; TX = All text; PT = Publication type; Nn = Near. Proximity operator retrieving terms within n words from each other; * = Truncation; “ “ = Citation Marks; searches for an exact phrase

g. Glanville J, Dooley G, Wisniewski S, Foxlee R, Noel-Storr A. Development of a search filter to identify reports of controlled clinical trials within CINAHL Plus. Health Info Libr J. 2019;36(1):73-90. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12251.
Search terms Items found
Intervention: Social prescription
1. DE "Social Prescribing" 20
2. TI (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 225
3. AB (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 1042
4. SU (("community prescri*" or "community referral*" or "link* scheme*" or "link worker*" or "social prescri*" or "social referral*") or ((Community) W2 (navigation or navigator or connector)) or (“book* on referral*” or ”book* on prescription*” or ”prescribing book*”) or ((nature OR gardening) W3 (prescription* or referral*)) or ((prescrib*) W3 (nature or gardening)) or (”eco therap*” or ecotherap*) or (”green gym*” or (green W3 prescription*)) or ("time bank*") or ((signpost* or information) W3 (prescription* or referrall*)) or (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” or “art* on prescription*” or “prescribing art*”) or (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) or (“educat* on referral*” or “educat* on prescription*” or “prescribing educat*”) or (“exercis* on referral*” or “exercis* on prescription*” or “prescribing exercis*”) or (“museum* for health” or “museum* on referral*” or “museum* on prescription*” or “prescribing museum*”) or (“culture for health” or “culture on referral*” or “culture on prescription*” or “prescribing culture”) or (“heritage for health” or “heritage on referral*” or “heritage on prescription*” or “prescribing heritage”) or (“drama for health” or “drama on referral*” or “drama on prescription*” or “prescribing drama”) or (“music for health” or “music on referral*” or “music on prescription*” or “prescribing music”) or (“singing for health” or “singing on referral*” or “singing on prescription*” or “prescribing singing”) or (“craft* for health” or “craft* on referral*” or “craft* on prescription*” or “prescribing craft*”)) 42
5. OR 1–5/ 1167
Study types: systematic reviews and meta-analysis / randomized controlled trialsg
6. TI (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or AB (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) or SU (((systematic or mixed method* or qualitative or realist or integrative or evidence or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic or scoping or mapping) W4 review) or meta analy* or metaanaly* or meta synthe* or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) 25 962
Final result
7. 5 AND 6 29

Social Service Abstract/Sociological Abstracts via Proquest 15 September 2025

Title: Social prescription
TI = Title; AB = Abstract; SU = Subjects; N/n = Near. Proximity operator retrieving terms within n words from each other; * = Truncation; “ “ = Citation Marks; searches for an exact phrase
Search terms Items found
Intervention: Social prescription
1. TI (( "community prescri*" OR "community referral*" OR "link* scheme*" OR "link worker*" OR "social prescri*" OR "social referral*") OR ( (Community) P/2 (navigation OR navigator OR connector)) OR (“book* on referral*” OR ”book* on prescription*” OR ”prescribing book*”) OR ((nature OR gardening) P/3 (prescription* OR referral*)) OR ((prescrib*) P/3 (nature OR gardening)) OR (”eco therap*” OR ecotherap*) OR (”green gym*” OR (green W3 prescription*)) OR ("time bank*") OR ((signpost* OR information) P/3 (prescription* OR referrall*)) OR (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” OR “art* on prescription*” OR “prescribing art*”) OR (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) OR (“educat* on referral*” OR “educat* on prescription*” OR “prescribing educat*”) OR (“exercis* on referral*” OR “exercis* on prescription*” OR “prescribing exercis*”) OR (“museum* for health” OR “museum* on referral*” OR “museum* on prescription*” OR “prescribing museum*”) OR (“culture for health” OR “culture on referral*” OR “culture on prescription*” OR “prescribing culture”) OR (“heritage for health” OR “heritage on referral*” OR “heritage on prescription*” OR “prescribing heritage”) OR (“drama for health” OR “drama on referral*” OR “drama on prescription*” OR “prescribing drama”) OR (“music for health” OR “music on referral*” OR “music on prescription*” OR “prescribing music”) OR (“singing for health” OR “singing on referral*” OR “singing on prescription*” OR “prescribing singing”) OR (“craft* for health” OR “craft* on referral*” OR “craft* on prescription*” OR “prescribing craft*”)) 166
2. AB (("community prescri*" OR "community referral*" OR "link* scheme*" OR "link worker*" OR "social prescri*" OR "social referral*") OR ((Community) P/2 (navigation OR navigator OR connector)) OR (“book* on referral*” OR ”book* on prescription*” OR ”prescribing book*”) OR ((nature OR gardening) P/3 (prescription* OR referral*)) OR ((prescrib*) P/3 (nature OR gardening)) OR (”eco therap*” OR ecotherap*) OR (”green gym*” OR (green W3 prescription*)) OR ("time bank*") OR ((signpost* OR information) P/3 (prescription* OR referrall*)) OR (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” OR “art* on prescription*” OR “prescribing art*”) OR (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) OR (“educat* on referral*” OR “educat* on prescription*” OR “prescribing educat*”) OR (“exercis* on referral*” OR “exercis* on prescription*” OR “prescribing exercis*”) OR (“museum* for health” OR “museum* on referral*” OR “museum* on prescription*” OR “prescribing museum*”) OR (“culture for health” OR “culture on referral*” OR “culture on prescription*” OR “prescribing culture”) OR (“heritage for health” OR “heritage on referral*” OR “heritage on prescription*” OR “prescribing heritage”) OR (“drama for health” OR “drama on referral*” OR “drama on prescription*” OR “prescribing drama”) OR (“music for health” OR “music on referral*” OR “music on prescription*” OR “prescribing music”) OR (“singing for health” OR “singing on referral*” OR “singing on prescription*” OR “prescribing singing”) OR (“craft* for health” OR “craft* on referral*” OR “craft* on prescription*” OR “prescribing craft*”)) 371
3. SU (("community prescri*" OR "community referral*" OR "link* scheme*" OR "link worker*" OR "social prescri*" OR "social referral*") OR ((Community) P/2 (navigation OR navigator OR connector)) OR (“book* on referral*” OR ”book* on prescription*” OR ”prescribing book*”) OR ((nature OR gardening) P/3 (prescription* OR referral*)) OR ((prescrib*) P/3 (nature OR gardening)) OR (”eco therap*” OR ecotherap*) OR (”green gym*” OR (green W3 prescription*)) OR ("time bank*") OR ((signpost* OR information) P/3 (prescription* OR referrall*)) OR (“art* for health” or “art* on referral*” OR “art* on prescription*” OR “prescribing art*”) OR (“danc* for health” or “danc* on referral*” or “danc* on prescription*” or “prescribing danc*”) OR (“educat* on referral*” OR “educat* on prescription*” OR “prescribing educat*”) OR (“exercis* on referral*” OR “exercis* on prescription*” OR “prescribing exercis*”) OR (“museum* for health” OR “museum* on referral*” OR “museum* on prescription*” OR “prescribing museum*”) OR (“culture for health” OR “culture on referral*” OR “culture on prescription*” OR “prescribing culture”) OR (“heritage for health” OR “heritage on referral*” OR “heritage on prescription*” OR “prescribing heritage”) OR (“drama for health” OR “drama on referral*” OR “drama on prescription*” OR “prescribing drama”) OR (“music for health” OR “music on referral*” OR “music on prescription*” OR “prescribing music”) OR (“singing for health” OR “singing on referral*” OR “singing on prescription*” OR “prescribing singing”) OR (“craft* for health” OR “craft* on referral*” OR “craft* on prescription*” OR “prescribing craft*”)) 58
4. OR 1–3/ 397
Study types: systematic reviews and meta-analysis / randomized controlled trials
5. SU (((systematic or "mixed method*" or qualitative or realist or scoping or mapping or evidence or integrative or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic) N/4 review) or "meta analy*" or metaanaly* or "meta synthe*" or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) OR TI (((systematic or "mixed method*" or qualitative or realist or scoping or mapping or evidence or integrative or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic) N/4 review) or "meta analy*" or metaanaly* or "meta synthe*" or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) OR AB (((systematic or "mixed method*" or qualitative or realist or scoping or mapping or evidence or integrative or critical or umbrella or rapid or narrative or thematic) N/4 review) or "meta analy*" or metaanaly* or "meta synthe*" or metasynthe* or meta narrative or meta aggreg* or meta ethnograph*) 28 100
Final result
17. 4 AND 5 42
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