The purpose of this poster presentation is to share the findings of our recent university labyrinth research studies with a specific focus on the benefits and challenges of research conducted in outdoor spaces. Over the past six years, small pilot studies have been conducted using an outdoor labyrinth on the campus of a public university.
In the first study, participants walked an 11-circuit medieval pattern painted on the grass. On subsequent studies, participants walked an 11-circuit medieval brick paver labyrinth while some participants used an 11-circuit medieval wooden lap labyrinth. These studies have included a qualitative component that was valuable in learning more about the full experience of engaging with the labyrinth.
With so many outdoor permanent labyrinths available across the world, identifying outdoor labyrinths that could be used in research studies could provide more opportunities for those interested in researching the effects of the labyrinth. Many outdoor labyrinths are created in settings that are readily available to the public. To date, no research has been conducted comparing the effects of those who walked an outdoor labyrinth to those who walked the same type of labyrinth indoors to determine the potential benefits and impacts of the environment on the labyrinth experience.