Horticultural Therapy Program Research Articles

Critical therapeutic landscape design elements for cognitive impairments in the Royal Talbot rehabilitation centre

PurposeTherapeutic landscapes can be beneficial for patients recovering from cognitive and behavioural impairments. The therapeutic garden in the Royal Talbot rehabilitation centre (RTRC) located in Kew, Melbourne is a precedent for its nature design outdoor spaces and horticultural therapy (HT) program for patients with cognitive impairments due to brain and spinal cord injuries. There have been no studies into the physical design of the RTRC therapeutic garden.Design/methodology/approachThis case study unveils the critical design themes, and dominant physical elements of the RTRC therapeutic garden through site observation and analysis over the course of two months, a semi-structured interview with a key staff, and graphical representations using integrated photography and collaborative digital tools of AutoCAD and Adobe Photoshop.FindingsSeven critical design themes are identified for the RTRC garden: (1) space layout and organization, (2) physical and visual access, (3) pathway and facility, (4) multisensory vegetation, (5) amenity, wayfinding and seasonal interest, (6) cognitive stimulation, (7) utility and HT. Qualitative and quantitative data analysed in visual and descriptive format reveal multisensory vegetation, amenity, wayfinding and seasonal interest, and utility and HT are the top three most pivotal critical design themes in the RTRC therapeutic garden.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this case study can be used to impart knowledge about the design of therapeutic landscape settings for cognitive impairments to design professionals and the public.Originality/valueThere is no case study has been conducted for this precedent of therapeutic garden in the Royal Talbot rehabilitation centre that targets for cognitive impairment patients. With the increasing awareness in medical and healthcare environments, this case study would help to inject mutual understanding, generate knowledge and design awareness among design professionals and public, and to cultivate more good quality healthcare settings.

The Effect of a Horticultural Therapy Program based on Cognitive-Behavioral Emotion Regulation Training on Improving the Emotional Intelligence, Emotion Regulation Ability, and Resilience of Children Eligible for Priority Support for Educational Welfare

Background and objective: This study sought to develop a horticultural therapy program (HTP) based on cognitive- behavioral emotion regulation training (CBERT) to improve the emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, and resilience of children eligible for priority support for educational welfare, and investigate its effects.Methods: To conduct this study, an HTP based on CBERT was developed using indoor horticulture activities. The program was conducted on 42 children (21 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group) in grades 3 to 4 who were eligible for priority support for educational welfareand were attending D elementary school in Incheon metropolitan city. Emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, and resilience were measured using self-report questionnaires before and after participating in the HTP.Results: The study found that the emotional intelligence (p < .01), emotion regulation (p < .01), and resilience (p <.01) of the children who participated in the experiment were significantly increased.Conclusion: Through this study, it was confirmed that an HTP based on appropriate CBERT has a positive effect on improving children's emotional intelligence, emotion regulation ability, and resilience. In future research, it will be necessary to expand its application to all grades and general children as well as children eligible for priority support for educational welfare.

The Effect of Horticultural Therapy Program on Brain Waves & Pulse Waves

The Effect of Horticultural Therapy Program on Brain Waves & Pulse Waves

A Meta-analysis of Horticultural Therapy Programs for Children: Focusing on Journal Articles

Background and objective: This study analyzed the effects of horticultural therapy programs for children using meta-analysis. It aims to provide logical grounds and basic data for practical intervention plans in educational settings.Methods: For analysis, out of total 498 papers published in journals from 2000 to 2022 under the keywords 'gardening (or horticulture) for children' and 'elementary gardening (or horticulture)', 35 articles were finally selected and analyzed, excluding those redundant or integrated with other age groups or programs.Results: First, the overall average effect size of horticultural therapy programs for children was 0.795, which was a medium size. Second, the average effect size for each dependent variable was the largest in the cognitive domain at 1.153, followed by the social domain, the psycho-emotional domain, and the physical domain. Third, the average effect size according to the grade of the subjects was the largest at 0.955 in the upper grades, followed by the lower grades and mixed grades. Fourth, as a result of meta-regression analysis, shorter time per session resulted in higher effectiveness of horticultural therapy programs for children (<i>p</i> = .001).Conclusion: In this study, the meta-analysis results showed that the most effective way to increase children's activity effectiveness in horticulture activities using plants is to conduct activities once a week, for 10 sessions or less, and with a time of less than 60 minutes per session.

원예치료가 치매노인의 명령 및 구성행위에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of horticultural therapy on cognitive function of elderly people with dementia of day-care center. Twenty elderly people with dementia belonging to day-care center in this program as an experimental group and 10 people as a control group, and data were taken before and after horticultural therapy program(HTP). Cognitive function was evaluated by changes according to command and constructional praxis using ADAS-cog-K. As a result of the homogeneity of the control and the experimental group before the horticultural therapy program was implemented, it was found that the control and the experimental group showed the same group. On the level for command, the average was 3.33 before HTP, 2.10 after HTP at 4 weeks, 2.60 after 8 weeks and 1.98 after 12 weeks. On the level for constructional praxis, the average was 3.55 before HTP, 2.85 after HTP at 4 weeks, 2.25 after 8 weeks and 1.35 after 12 weeks. Both showed a continuous decrease in levels as the session progressed, and there was a statistically significant difference within each group (p<.001). In this study, it was confirmed that the horticultural therapy program had a positive effect on the cognitive function of the elderly with dementia.

Horticultural Therapy for Improving the Work Performance and Interpersonal Relationships of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.

For the occupational adaptation and social integration of the intellectually disabled, it is helpful to improve their work performance and interpersonal skills. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of horticultural therapy (HT) programs to improve work performance and interpersonal relationships of persons with intellectual disabilities. Based on observations and analyses of how people with intellectual disabilities work, we have developed a 12-session HT program that includes upper limb movements and physical activities to improve hand function. We recruited, with the consent of their legal guardians, 14 (6 males, 8 females) participants who had intellectual disabilities and were working at a sheltered workshop in K-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The program consisted of twelve sixty-minute sessions that were conducted twice a week at a rooftop garden. For pre- and post-evaluation of the program, the survey of functional adaptive behavior (SFAB), interpersonal negotiation strategies, a horticultural job evaluation (self), hand function tests (pegboard, pinch gauge, fingertips), and blood sample tests for physiological indicators of exercise were conducted. Interpersonal negotiation strategies, functional adaptive behaviors, and physical abilities for job behaviors, including agility and grasping of the hand, improved significantly from before to after the program (p < 0.05). A positive result of VEGF (vascular endothermic growth factor) in blood sample tests implies the need for further research on cognitive changes caused by horticultural activities. This study has limitations due to the small number of participants, but the results suggest that low- to medium-intensity horticultural treatment programs using the upper body and hands could be effective for vocational rehabilitation of the intellectually disabled.

Psychophysiological Responses of Cut Flower Fragrances as an Olfactory Stimulation by Measurement of Electroencephalogram in Adults.

Horticultural therapy (HT) is green care that can help improve and recover the health of modern people living in cities through natural experiences. Many studies have been conducted to determine HT’s therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms, but investigation for developing readily applicable clinical techniques is insufficient. We aimed to investigate adults’ brain activity and emotional state during flower arrangement (FA) with different flowers in an HT program. We recruited thirty adults and used a randomized cross-over study method to set them to participate in five FA tasks at 90-s intervals. While performing FA tasks, the participants’ prefrontal cortex brain waves were measured by a wireless electroencephalography device and their emotional states between FA tasks were measured by questionnaires. Results showed that each FA task resulted in a different attention level of the participants. The participants showed the highest attention level during FA with stocks and carnations, while FA with lilies showed the lowest attention level among the five FA tasks. Instead, the participants showed the highest arousal, tension, and anxiety for emotional states during FA with lilies. Therefore, this study confirmed the differences in attention level and emotional changes according to flower types for using clinical techniques of HT for various clients.

Efficacy of a Horticultural Therapy Program Designed for Emotional Stability and Career Exploration among Adolescents in Juvenile Detention Centers.

We aimed to develop a horticultural therapy program to prepare adolescents at the Dae san juvenile detention center (D-JDC) for their return to society. The effects of the program on emotional stability and career exploration were investigated. Adolescents who wished to participate in the horticultural therapy program were recruited from the D-JDC. Data were collected using various questionnaires before and after the program was implemented. Thirty-five (mean age, 15.74 ± 1.65 years; 11 males, 24 females) students were enrolled. The program mainly consisted of plant cultivation activities, such as seeding, transplanting plants, cutting, harvesting, and post-harvest utilization. To evaluate emotional health, the ego-resiliency scale was used. To evaluate social behavior, the inventory of parent and peer attachment, peer attachment scale, and social skills scale were used. Career exploration was assessed using the career preparation behavior scale and the career decision-making self-efficacy-short form. Peer attachment, social skills, and career preparation behavior showed significant improvements after the program, with the students responding positively in the post-program surveys. Our horticultural therapy program helped improve the career exploration and social skills of D-JDC students and positively affected their emotional stability. Based on our findings, horticultural therapy can be used as a correctional program for adolescents in D-JDC to help them return to society.

Effects of a Horticultural Therapy Program for Patients with Mental Illness

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effects of the Horticultural Therapy Program on interpersonal relations, self-efficacy, and stress awareness for patients with mental illness.Methods: This was a non-equivalent control group pre and post-test design study. Participants were recruited from a closed ward of mental health hospitals located in the G city. 23 patients from two hospitals were in the experimental group and 20 patients from four hospitals were in the control group. A ninety-minute horticultural program was performed once a week for 8 weeks.Results: Results revealed that the Horticultural Therapy Program was effective for self-efficacy (z=-3.06 &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.002) and stress awareness (z=2.92, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.004) for patients with mental illnesses.Conclusion: These results indicate that the Horticultural Therapy Program is effective for self-efficacy and stress awareness in patients with mental illnesses. Therefore, the Horticultural Therapy Program is recommended as an effective psychiatric nursing intervention for mental health promotion and rehabilitation.

Therapeutic horticulture as a potential tool of preventive geriatric medicine improving health, well-being and life quality – A systematic review

Abstract The global population of older people grows systematically and with age, the physical and cognitive abilities of people decline. The amount of evidence that gardening may provide substantial health benefits and enhance the quality of ageing is increasing. This paper presents a systematic review of the therapeutic effects of horticulture and gardening on clients aged ≥60 years. It encompasses articles published in English between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021. The literature survey shows that the interest in the topic has grown significantly in recent years as over half of the published studies are from 2019 to 2021. Most of this work was done in Asia (60%), America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The most commonly used interventions were active horticultural therapy programs or gardening, but 20% of the studies explored the passive connection of being outside. The fitness of the elderly was measured using 33 psychological tests, 32 physiological and functional parameters and different kinds of self-developed questionnaires and interviews. The most commonly used psychological tests were the Geriatric Depression Scale, Self-rated Health and Quality of Life, Mini-Mental State Examination, Friendship Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale, and the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire. The physiological and functional parameters included heart rate variability, blood pressure, electroencephalography, brain nerve growth factors, and different types of biomarkers. The study outcomes demonstrated positive results of horticultural therapy on human health and well-being, particularly in a psychological dimension and to a smaller but still significant extent physiological aspect.

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.

대학생의 코로나19로 인한 무망감 우울 감소를 위한 비대면 방식의 원예치료 프로그램 효과

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, college students experience frustration due to the shortage of employment opportunities during the economic downturn and feel depression or even hopelessness because of anxiety about their major and career potential and their limited control over them. Against the backdrop, this study verified the effect of a non-contact horticultural therapy program that includes growing plants to reduce COVID-19-triggered hopelessness depression in college students. For this, a horticultural therapy program was provided to 153 college students for four weeks. A paired sample t-test was performed to investigate the effect of the program. The main findings of the study are as follows: the horticultural therapy participants showed a significant decrease in hopelessness depression. This study has significance in presenting practical implications by applying a horticultural therapy program to reduce hopelessness depression in college students during the prolonged COVID-19 crisis.

アフターコロナを展望した在宅園芸療法プログラムによる心理的効果

アフターコロナを展望した在宅園芸療法プログラムによる心理的効果

Horticultural therapy program in Kerala improves the emotional intelligence of school going children with autism spectrum disorder

ISHS XV International People Plant Symposium and II International Symposium on Horticultural Therapies: the Role of Horticulture in Human Well-being and Social Development Horticultural therapy program in Kerala improves the emotional intelligence of school going children with autism spectrum disorder

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.

Comparison of Stress Relieving Effects of Horticultural Therapy Programs between Judging and Perceiving Personality Types among Female Undergraduate Students

Comparison of Stress Relieving Effects of Horticultural Therapy Programs between Judging and Perceiving Personality Types among Female Undergraduate Students

기본심리욕구이론을 바탕으로 한 학교텃밭 활용 원예치료 프로그램이 중학생의 스트레스와 학교생활만족도에 미치는 영향

기본심리욕구이론을 바탕으로 한 학교텃밭 활용 원예치료 프로그램이 중학생의 스트레스와 학교생활만족도에 미치는 영향

A Horticultural Therapy Program Focusing on Gardening Activities to Promote Psychological, Emotional and Social Health of the Elderly Living in a Homeless Living Facility for a Long Time: A Pilot Study

A Horticultural Therapy Program Focusing on Gardening Activities to Promote Psychological, Emotional and Social Health of the Elderly Living in a Homeless Living Facility for a Long Time: A Pilot Study

Meta-analysis of controlled trials testing horticultural therapy for the improvement of cognitive function

Improving cognitive function is one of the most challenging global issues in cognitive impairment population. Horticultural therapy involves the expertise of a horticultural therapist who establishes a treatment plan for horticultural activities that aim to achieve cognitive changes, and thereby improve health-related quality of life. However, more convincing evidence demonstrating the effect of horticultural therapy on cognitive function is essential. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of controlled trials testing the effect of horticultural therapy on cognitive function and the findings indicate that horticultural therapy programs significantly improved cognitive function. The effect size of the horticultural therapy program was large. Findings of this meta-analysis have important implications for practice and policies. Contemporary healthcare systems should consider horticultural therapy as an important intervention for improving patients’ cognitive function. Governments and policy-makers should consider horticultural therapy as an important tool to prevent the decline of cognitive function in cognitive impairment population.

Horticultural Therapy Programs Enhancing Quality of Life and Reducing Depression and Burden for Caregivers of Elderly with Dementia

Background and objective: The problem that follows the increase of dementia patients is the burden of caregivers caring for dementia patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of horticultural therapy programs improving the quality of life and reducing the depression and burden of caregivers of the elderly with dementia.Methods: In this study, 19 caregivers of the elderly with dementia were selected, and the experiment was conducted by dividing the control group (n=9) and the experimental group (n=10) by random distribution. The experimental group was given eight horticultural therapy programs twice a week for a total of 4 weeks. Subjects were assessed using the depression(CES-D), quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), and care burden scales. The evaluation results were verified at a 95% significance level using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Results: In the case of depression, the control group’s score tended to increase, and the experimental group’s score appeared to decrease, but it was not a statistically significant change. In the quality of life, the control group was not statistically significant, but scores decreased overall. On the other hand, in the experimental group, the general quality of life increased significantly from 11.60 to 14.20 points (p = .02), and the total quality of life increased to a marginally significant level from 61.59 points to 68.85 points (p = .059). In the post-test of the total care burden score, a marginally significant difference was found between the control group (94.44 points) and the experimental group (82.50 points; p = .079).Conclusion: This study confirmed the applicability to reduce the burden of caregiving and improve the deterioration of quality of life of the caregivers. In particular, the results will serve as an opportunity to confirm accessibility in a new way to support the caregiver of dementia patients by demonstrating the applicability of horticultural therapy at a time when problems such as the burden of supporting the caregiver are emerging as social problems.Key words: caregiver intervention, complementary and alternative treatment, human issues in horticulture, socio-horticulture, WHOQOL-BREF