Effects Of Horticultural Therapy Research Articles

Effect of horticultural therapy on static, dynamic balance and gait speed among institutionalized older adults with cognitive impairment.

Although horticultural therapy has been used successfully to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly people with cognitive impairment, we do not yet know how it affects balance. The aim of our study was to determine the acceptability and effect of a 12-week horticultural therapy on balance and walking speed among institutionalized older adults with cognitive impairment. This mixed-methods controlled trial included 23 participants. Subjects in the experimental group (n=13) participated in a 60 min horticultural therapy programme twice a week for 12weeks in addition to the institution's usual social activities. Subjects in the control group (n=10) participated in the institution's usual social activities. Static and dynamic balance were measured with the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment scale. In addition, gait speed was measured. Qualitative data were collected through a semi-structured interview with participants of the experimental group. At the end of the intervention period, the experimental maintained their baseline performance on the static balance, while the control group showed a decline. The gait speed of the experimental improved, while that of the control group did not change. In dynamic balance, no changes were demonstrated. The results of our qualitative data analysis indicate that horticultural therapy increases the possibility of social interactions, encourages older people to engage in conversation. As a conclusion, horticultural therapy should be more widely included in programmes for older people with cognitive impairment.

The Effect of Horticultural Therapy on Increased Self-Esteem for Mental Disorders in the Community

INTRODUCTION: The increasing number of mental disorders causes various problems, so treatment and rehabilitation programs are needed to increase adaptability and prevent recurrences in the community. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study used a quasi-experimental method with a pre-post test between the intervention and control groups. Effects of horticultural therapy on self-esteem were analysed using paired t-tests. RESULTS: The results showed a significant difference in the self-esteem scores of patients with mental disorders before and after treatment in the intervention group with horticultural therapy (p-value of 0.00). CONCLUSION: A significant difference exists in the self-esteem scores of patients with mental disorders before and after treatment in the intervention group given horticultural therapy marked. The participants in the study had various mental disorders, including schizophrenia and depression. Both schizophrenia and depression are associated with symptoms of low self-esteem. Horticultural therapy positively enhances self-esteem regardless of specific mental disorders.

Effectiveness of horticultural therapy in aged people with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Depression, an increasing global crisis, has affected many people's daily life, especially for older adults. Horticultural therapy has been widely used in non-pharmacological treatment for patients with depression, with a body of studies demonstrating its therapeutic effects. However, a lack of systematic reviews and meta-analyses makes it difficult to get a holistic picture of this research field. We aimed to evaluate the reliability of the previous studies and the effectiveness of horticultural therapy (including the intervention of environmental settings, activities, and duration) on older adults with depression. This systematic review was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched relevant studies in multiple databases, and the original search was finished on 25 September 2022. We included studies using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental designs. We yielded a total of 7,366 studies and finally included 13 which involved 698 aged people with depression. Results from meta-analysis indicated significant effects of horticultural therapy on reducing depressive symptoms for the older adults. Besides, we found different outcomes among various horticultural interventions (such as environmental setting, activities, and duration). Depression reduction was more effective in care-providing settings than in community settings; participatory activities were more effective in reducing depression than observational activities; intervention of 4-8 weeks might represent the optimal course of treatment compared to interventions more than 8 weeks in duration. We came up with a comprehensive set of recommendations based on the meta-analysis: aged people in care-providing settings with depression could get the most benefit from horticultural therapy by participating in participatory activities for 4-8 weeks. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022363134, identifier CRD42022363134.

The Role of Horticulture Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder of Chinese Children

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a subtype of pervasive developmental disorder which mainly characterized by cognitive and communication impairments, often accompanied by symptoms such as social disorder, Stereotypical behavior, and Perceptual disorders, which not only affect the physical and mental health development of children but also brings a heavy burden to the families and society of patients. Horticultural therapy, as an ecological psychotherapeutic method, has more obvious and positive intervention effects on the above-mentioned symptoms in children with autism and has gradually gained attention in recent years. However, its application sites are mainly concentrated in special education schools and medical institutions, and it has not been widely used and promoted; its researchers are mainly concentrated in garden designers and special educators, with less participation from psychologists and horticultural therapists. This paper describes the current intervention methods and effects of horticultural therapy on the above three major impairment characteristics of children with autism in China, summarizes the application overview and progress of horticultural therapy, and gives some perspectives and recommendations for the following research.

Effect of Horticultural Therapy on Anger Control of the Primary Caregivers for Dementia Patients

Effect of Horticultural Therapy on Anger Control of the Primary Caregivers for Dementia Patients

Effects of Horticultural Therapy with Recall and Sensory Stimulation on Salivary Acidity and Heart Rate in Terminal Cancer Patients

본 연구는 말기암 환자의 회상과 감각자극으로 원예치료를 하였을 때 정적 정서의 표현이 많았던 것으로 정적정서의 표현과 부교감신경계와의 관계를 알아보고자 타액산도와 심박동수를 측정하였다. 원예치료 프로그램 실시전과 후에 타액산도와 심박동수를 측정하였을 때 타액산도는 유의한 변화는 없었지만(p=.236), 심박동수는 유의한감소가 있었다(p=.003). 이러한 심박동수의 수치 변화는 부교감신경계의 활성에 도움이 되었다고 보인다. 이상과같이 회상과 감각자극을 이용한 원예치료는 말기암 환자의 부교감신경계의 활성으로 정서적 안정감에 도움을 줄수 있을 것으로 보인다.

Effect of horticultural therapy on mental health: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Mental health assessment is a common topic in horticultural therapy (HT). Some study findings were contrary to positive findings, although several studies have explored the effect of HT on mental health and reported positive results. There is weak evidence in the benefits of HT based on evidence-based medicine. Stronger evidence of the link between HT and mental health will help in policy making by health policy makers and governments. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The purpose of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to explore the effect of HT on mental health. This study is the first meta-analysis of RCTs to provide critical evidence that HT has a positive effect on mental health. The effect size of HT on mental health was medium (0.55). The included studies had no negative effects on mental health. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: HT should be considered a useful therapy to be integrated in healthcare settings by horticultural therapists to improve mental health. In the HT program, indoor and outdoor plant activities, plant-related arts, crafts and other activities were common interventions to improve specific mental health problems through at least eight sessions. ABSTRACT: Introduction HT has been widely used to promote mental health. However, heterogeneity and sample size issues of randomized controlled trials made it challenging to illustrate effect sizes across the evidence. Aim The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the effect of HT on mental health. Methods We used the PRISMA framework. A keyword search of Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest and Cochrane was performed. The inclusion criteria were HT with RCTs and mental health assessments. A random-effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results A total of 1,056 records were searched, and 18 eligible studies were extracted. The included RCTs had no statistical heterogeneity and publication bias. The meta-analysis showed that the HT experimental groups had a significant and positive impact on mental health compared with the control groups (effect size=0.55). Discussion HT should be considered for enhancing mental health. The included studies had no negative outcomes and the most common HT intervention was at least eight sessions. Therefore, HT should be considered to enhance mental health. However, the concealed allocation and blinding processes should be improved in future studies. Implications for Practice: This study recommends that HT should be integrated into healthcare settings to improve mental health.

Effect of horticultural therapy on apathy in nursing home residents with dementia: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Objectives: This study aimed to examine (1) the feasibility of the study procedures (i.e. recruitment, retention, attendance, and assessment completion rates), and (2) the effects of horticultural therapy (HT) on apathy, cognitive ability, quality of life, and functional capacity. Methods: This was a parallel-group, match-paired, randomized controlled trial. Thirty-two participants were allocated to either the experimental or the control group. Data were collected at baseline (T0), immediately postintervention (T1), and 3 months postintervention (T2). The Apathy Evaluation Scale-informant version (AES-I); Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s disease (QoL-AD) scale; Barthel index (BI) were used to measure apathy, cognitive ability, quality of life, and functional capacity, respectively. Results: The recruitment, retention, attendance and assessment completion rates were 22.7%, 87.5%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The between-group differences in AES-I (p = 0.007) and MMSE (p = 0.034) scores were statistically significant at T1. In the experimental group, the AES-I (p = 0.001), MMSE (p = 0.010), and QoL-AD (p = 0.017) scores were significantly different over time. In the post hoc pair-wise analysis, the AES-I scores of the experimental group observed at T1 were significantly lower than that at T0 (p = 0.032). In the control group, the MMSE scores (p = 0.001) were significantly different over time. Conclusion: HT is feasible for residents with dementia and apathy. The HT program effectively reduced apathy and promoted cognitive function, but its effects on quality of life and functional capacity were not observed.

The effects of horticultural therapy on the functionality of psychotic patients employed in the green unit of the psychiatric hospital of thessaloniki greece

IntroductionHorticultural therapy is used as alternative treatment option in rehabilitation programs for patients suffering from chronic mental disorders. In Greece, the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki was the first that organized a organized Rehabilitation Program approved by the Greek Ministry of Health, the “Green Unit - Monada Prasinou”.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of horticultural intervention on the functionality of patients employed in the Green Unit of the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki.MethodsThe Mini-ICF-APP Social Functioning Scale was used to evaluate the functionality of the patients. Horticulture therapy included actual gardening and other agricultural activities. The sample consisted of two groups, 22 inpatient of the Green Unit and 22 patients of outpatient units as a control group. The majority of the patients suffered from Schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Both patients’ groups were evaluated over 12 months (May 2018- May 2019).ResultsAt baseline evaluation, the patients of the Green Unit patients presented higher scores only in the mobility and endurance subscale. A year later there was a statistically significant difference in all thirteen subscales. Shortly, the patients were rated as more consistent, organizational, social, flexible, responsible, more confident and enterprising, more adaptable and more able to take care of themselves.ConclusionsThe results suggest that horticulture as a therapeutic method had beneficial effects in all dimensions of patient functionality confirming the hypothesis that such programs should be a priority in the effort of psychosocial reintegration of patients suffering from chronic mental disorders.

Effects of Horticultural Therapy on the Emotions and Stress Index of Trainees Entrusted to the Juvenile Classification Review Center

This study conducted a horticultural therapy program for trainees entrusted to the Juvenile Classification Review Center in order to fill the educational gap while providing emotional stability during the one-month period of commissioned education. The effects of horticultural therapy were examined by the pretest and posttest changes of the emotional items such as anxiety, self-esteem, self-efficacy and stress index. As the research method, this study used the one-group pretest-posttest experimental design on 16 female trainees of commissioned education staying at the Juvenile Classification Review Center in the juvenile reformatory located in A city. The horticultural therapy program was carried out in four sessions: two on flower arrangement and two on planting. The scores before and after the horticultural therapy program were measured using the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) to examine the effects of horticultural therapy on the reduction of anxiety for the adolescents staying in the Juvenile Classification Review Center. The results show that there was significant decrease in the mean of anxiety from 62.5 (SD = 6.8) to 57.6 (SD = 8.1) points after the program (p = .002). There was no significant change in self-esteem, which was 76.9 (SD = 11.2) before the horticultural therapy and 78.3 (SD = 8.7) after the therapy (p = .420). In self-efficacy, there was no significant change from 72.9 (SD = 10.9) before and 75.1 (SD = 11.0) after horticultural therapy (p = .178). In order to examine the physiological changes in such emotional functions, this study measured the stress index using the uBioMacpa as the tool. The result of the measurement showed that there was a significant change in the mean from 33.8 (SD = 2.3) before to 31.1 (SD = 2.2) after the horticultural therapy (p < .001). Key words: anxiety, female trainees, physiological change, self-efficacy, self-esteem

Effects of horticultural therapy on rehabilitation of hospitalized patients with depression

Objective To explore the effect of horticultural therapy on the rehabilitation of patients with depression in hospital. Methods A total of 80 cases with depression who met the inclusion criteria were selected from the Third People′s Hospital of Huzhou City from January 2017 to December 2017. We used random-number methods to classify patients into either the intervention group or the control group with 40 cases in each group. While the two groups both received conventional antidepressant drugs, and psychiatric care routine and conventional rehabilitation training. Patients in the intervention group also attended horticultural therapy, the treatment period lasted for 4 weeks. The two groups were measured by HAMD and IPROS to compare the clinical symptoms and rehabilitation effects, the before of the 4th week and the end of the 4th week after treatment. Results There was no statistically significant difference in HAMD score before the intervention among two groups (P >0.05). The HAMD score in the two group were both lower at the end of the 4th week. However, there was statistically significant difference in HAMD score among the two groups (t=5.458, P 0.05). After 4 weeks, there was statistically significant difference in IPROS score of intervention group and control group (t=4.168, P <0.01), the intervention group was 23.92±3.63, which was significantly lower than that of control group 34.85±4.17. Conclusions Horticultural therapy can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of patients with depression, promote rehabilitation, and improve social functions. Key words: Horticultural therapy; Depression; Rehabilitation

The Effects of Horticultural Therapy Using Lavandula stoechas on Vital Signs, Pain, and Sleep Satisfaction of Hospice Patients

The Effects of Horticultural Therapy Using Lavandula stoechas on Vital Signs, Pain, and Sleep Satisfaction of Hospice Patients

Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Asian Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The effect of horticultural therapy (HT) on immune and endocrine biomarkers remains largely unknown. We designed a waitlist-control randomized controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of HT in improving mental well-being and modulating biomarker levels. A total of 59 older adults was recruited, with 29 randomly assigned to the HT intervention and 30 to the waitlist control group. The participants attended weekly intervention sessions for the first 3 months and monthly sessions for the subsequent 3 months. Biological and psychosocial data were collected. Biomarkers included IL-1β, IL-6, sgp-130, CXCL12/SDF-1α, CCL-5/RANTES, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), hs-CRP, cortisol and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Psychosocial measures examined cognitive functions, depression, anxiety, psychological well-being, social connectedness and satisfaction with life. A significant reduction in plasma IL-6 level (p = 0.02) was observed in the HT intervention group. For the waitlist control group, significant reductions in plasma CXCL12 (SDF-1α) (p = 0.003), CXCL5 (RANTES) (p = 0.05) and BDNF (p = 0.003) were observed. A significant improvement in social connectedness was also observed in the HT group (p = 0.01). Conclusion: HT, in reducing plasma IL-6, may prevent inflammatory disorders and through maintaining plasma CXCL12 (SDF-1α), may maintain hematopoietic support to the brain. HT may be applied in communal gardening to enhance the well-being of older adults.

Effects of horticultural therapy on elderly\u2019 health: protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDue to a rapidly ageing population in the world, it is increasingly pertinent to promote successful ageing strategies which are cost-effective, easily accessible, and more likely to be acceptable to the elderly. Past research associates exposure to natural environments and horticultural therapy (HT) with positive psychological, social and physical health benefits. This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is designed to evaluate the efficacy of HT in promoting Asian elderly’ mental health, cognitive functioning and physical health.Methods/design70 elderly participants aged 60 to 85 years old will be randomized to participate in either the active horticultural therapy group or be in the waitlist control. Sessions will be weekly for 12 weeks, and monthly for 3 months. Mental health will be assessed through self-reports of depressive and anxiety symptomatology, life satisfaction, social connectedness and psychological well-being, collaborated with immunological markers. Outcome measures of cognitive functioning and physical health include neuropsychological tests of cognitive function and basic health screening. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention.DiscussionThis RCT comprehensively investigates the efficacy of a non-invasive intervention, HT, in enhancing mental health, cognitive functioning and physical health. The results have tremendous potential for supporting future successful ageing programs and applicability to larger populations.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02495194. Trial registration date: July 13, 2015. Retrospectively registered.

Effects of Horticultural Therapy on the Introduction of Logotherapy for Relieving Loneliness and Helplessness of Senior Citizens

Effects of Horticultural Therapy on the Introduction of Logotherapy for Relieving Loneliness and Helplessness of Senior Citizens

The effect of horticultural therapy on the quality of life of palliative care patients

ABSTRACTPalliative care patients experience a variety of needs and perceive their quality of life as being only fair. This study adopted a single-group repeated-measure design to investigate the effect of horticultural therapy on the quality of life of palliative care patients using the Quality of Life Concern in End of Life Questionnaire. Significant differences in the domains of “existential distress” and “health care concern” were observed immediately postintervention and at 4 weeks postintervention, respectively. No other significant differences were seen in the other domains or in the total mean score of the outcome measure.

국내 노인에게 적용한 원예치료의 효과: 체계적 문헌고찰

국내 노인에게 적용한 원예치료의 효과: 체계적 문헌고찰

Effect of horticultural therapy on wellbeing among dementia day care programme participants: A mixed-methods study (Innovative Practice).

Fourteen people attending an adult day programme were recruited to a structured horticultural therapy programme which took place over 10 weeks. The effects were assessed using Dementia Care Mapping and questionnaires completed by family carers. High levels of wellbeing were observed while the participants were engaged in horticultural therapy, and these were sustained once the programme was completed. This study adds to the growing evidence on the benefits of horticultural therapy for people with dementia who have enjoyed gardening in the past.

Effect of Horticultural Therapy on the Sociality of Disabled Children in Rehabilitation Center for Children

Effect of Horticultural Therapy on the Sociality of Disabled Children in Rehabilitation Center for Children

Effectiveness of horticultural therapy: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

To summarize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of horticultural therapy (HT). Studies were eligible if they were RCTs. Studies included one treatment group in which HT was applied. We searched the following databases from 1990 up to August 20, 2013: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Ichushi-Web, GHL, WPRIM, and PsyclNFO. We also searched all Cochrane Database and Campbell Systematic Reviews up to September 20, 2013. Four studies met all inclusion criteria. The language of all eligible publications was English and Korean. Target diseases and/or symptoms were dementia, severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, frail elderly in nursing home, and hemiplegic patients after stroke. These studies showed significant effectiveness in one or more outcomes for mental health and behavior. However, our review especially detected omissions of the following descriptions: method used to generate randomization, concealment, blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. In addition, the results of this study suggested that the RCTs conducted have been of relatively low quality. Although there was insufficient evidence in the studies of HT due to poor methodological and reporting quality and heterogeneity, HT may be an effective treatment for mental and behavioral disorders such as dementia, schizophrenia, depression, and terminal-care for cancer.