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

Kamioka, Hiroharu; Tsutani, Kiichiro; Yamada, Minoru; Park, Hyuntae; Okuizumi, Hiroyasu; Honda, T.; Okada, S; Park, Sangjun; Kitayuguchi, Jun; Abe, Takafumi; Handa, Shuichi; Mutoh, Yoshiteru

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.08.009

Cited by 101 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Although there have been numerous studies on HT, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on HT concluded that the studies conducted so far were relatively low quality [12]. In particular, descriptions of the study designs and statistical analyses had mostly been omitted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Kst

Sia

Mkw

et al. 2018

IJERPH

114

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Kst

Sia

Mkw

et al. 2018

IJERPH

114

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“…From Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Kern et al, 2011;O 'Haire, 2013) to severe mental illness (Barker & Dawson, 1998;Kamioka et al, 2014;Maujean et al, 2015;Wisdom et al, 2009), the literature increasingly indicates there is value in the facilitation of human-animal contact within interdisciplinary clinical practice. This therapeutic framework has resulted in the use of terms such as ''pet therapy'', ''animal-assisted therapy'' and ''animal-assisted activities'', referring to a reciprocal dynamic between humans and animals which addresses ''physical and/or emotional needs'' (Adams, 2010;Carmack, 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A meta-analysis (Nimer & Lundahl, 2007) found only 29 of 250 studies were methodologically able to meet a minimal standard of rigor (Herzog, 2011). Studies are consistently limited by small sample sizes, inconsistent participant randomisation, selection bias and attrition rates (Kamioka et al, 2014;Morrison, 2012). Nonetheless, these limitations are combined with a broad spectrum of interventions, participant pools and environments to generate findings into the outcomes associated with animal-assisted therapies (Palley, O'Rouke, & Niemi, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The feasibility of brief dog-assisted therapy on university students stress levels: the PAwS study

Wood

Ohlsen

Thompson

et al. 2017

Journal of Mental Health

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Background: Pet therapy is becoming increasingly popular and is used in a variety of ways from encouraging communication in older adults to improving wellbeing in those with serious mental illness. Increasingly Universities have been offering pet therapy to students in an effort to reduce stress. However, little evidence currently exists to support the effectiveness of reducing measurable stress levels after a standalone drop-in unstructured session. The University of Sheffield's Counselling Service works in partnership with Guide Dogs for the Blind to give students access to calm, well-trained animals for informal group stress relief. Aims: To assess the feasibility of implementing and evaluating unstructured group interventions with a Guide Dog in training within the university student population. Methods: One hundred and thirty-one students who attended pet therapy at the University Counselling Service were recruited on a voluntary basis to take part in the research. Stress, measured on the state trait anxiety inventory, and blood pressure were taken before and after a 15-min intervention. Results: All measures showed a statistically significant reduction immediately after the intervention. Conclusion: Short interactions with a Guide Dog in training appear to reduce stress in University students. A controlled study is required to investigate further.

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“…A similar picture emerges for other green care interventions including, for example, therapeutic horticulture where there have been more attempts to conduct randomised trials with some tentatively promising results. 12 Within care farming, qualitative studies have shed light on the experiences of those attending care farms, highlighting the reasons why care farms can potentially improve mental health. 13 Care farmers themselves are often a key ingredient in the success of the care farm in supporting those with mental ill health.…”

Section: Debate and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Green fingers and clear minds: prescribing ‘care farming’ for mental illness

2016

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

Cited by 101 publications

References 29 publications

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

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

The feasibility of brief dog-assisted therapy on university students stress levels: the PAwS study

Green fingers and clear minds: prescribing ‘care farming’ for mental illness

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