Walking the Path to Well-Being: A Scoping Review of Labyrinth Walking Outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this scoping review was to comprehensively summarize research documenting the therapeutic benefits of labyrinth-based interventions and to provide practical, evidence-informed recommendations for how recreational therapists can integrate this intervention into professional practice. A systematic search strategy across multiple databases identified 25 research articles, published between 2000 and 2025, that examine labyrinths as an intervention. The review synthesizes evidence describing the use of labyrinth walking and its documented effects across mental, cognitive, physical, and spiritual domains of health. Taken together, the findings indicate that labyrinth walking represents a multidimensional, nonpharmacological intervention that aligns with the NCCIH Whole Person Health framework by simultaneously engaging biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of health. Findings indicate that labyrinths are increasingly used as a therapeutic modality across diverse health and human service settings. Although the evidence base remains limited, studies consistently report positive outcomes. No research specific to recreational therapy practice was identified. To support translation into practice, the therapeutic recreation process—Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation and Documentation (APIE-D)—is applied to labyrinth walking to guide the development of a preliminary protocol. As the emerging evidence continues to expand, further research may establish the labyrinth as a therapeutic intervention that contributes to evidence-based practice in recreational therapy.