Efficacy of a horticultural activity program for reducing depression and loneliness in older residents of nursing homes in Taiwan

Chu, Hui-Ying; Chen, Mei‐Fang; Tsai, Chun-Chin; Chan, Hui-Shan; Wu, Tai-Liang

doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.12.012

Cited by 38 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…This is due to the long-term effects of the culture technique-type, such as taking care of plants and observing seed germination and the growth of plants. Previous studies were mostly in the plan of long-term horticultural activities [ 16 , 18 , 24 , 27 ], so there was a benefit in their studies about culture technique-type.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Horticultural activities can also be used as a method for rehabilitation or an adjuvant treatment of chronic diseases. In addition, horticultural activities are popular and common leisure activities for the elderly [ 3 , 9 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. One study revealed that investing in the development of disease prevention can save significant costs, as each person spends $10 per year and the rate of return is 5.6 times after five years [ 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are many types of horticultural activities, including static and dynamic, indoor and outdoor, and touching plants. Horticultural activities are often used as auxiliary treatment methods particularly [ 9 , 21 , 25 , 26 ] because they stimulate the five senses [ 18 ]. The current general horticultural therapeutic activity types are summarized as follows: cultivation technique, artistic creation, food tasting or smelling, flower viewing, guided tour, making daily necessities, and so on [ 4 , 7 , 12 , 15 , 17 , 21 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, we can use questionnaires or scales to understand more subjective mental states [ 16 , 42 ]. Commonly used questionnaires are the Profile of Mood States (POMS) [ 33 , 34 , 43 ], Life Satisfaction Index [ 5 , 16 , 44 ], stress scale [ 28 ], and depression related scale [ 6 , 15 , 18 , 24 ]. Many studies have explored how contact with nature and engagement in horticultural activities affects mental states [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 16 , 33 , 34 , 42 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, whether it is horticultural therapy for people with diseases or horticultural activities for healthy or subhealthy people, many studies have confirmed that these activities can effectively improve physical and mental health, increase well-being, and achieve the effect of delaying aging [ 7 , 8 , 17 , 18 , 26 , 42 ]. However, few studies have explored the impact of activity types on the elderly.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Types of Horticultural Activity on the Physical and Mental State of Elderly Individuals

Cheng

Hou

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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This study aimed to evaluate the effect of types of horticultural activities among elderly individuals in a senior citizen learning camp. We arranged four horticultural activities: Grass Doll, Kokedama, Rocky Leaf Prints, and Herb Tasting and Smelling. Twenty-seven senior citizens (60 to 76 years) were recruited to participate. We assessed their physiological and mental state before and after the activities by measuring heart rate variability (HRV), pulse rate, blood pressure, salivary amylase activity (SAA), and Profile of Mood States (POMS). Results showed that SAA was significantly lower after the Rocky Leaf Prints, Herb Tasting and Smelling, and Kokedama. Pulse rate had a downward trend after the four horticultural activities. The ratio of low frequency (LF) over high frequency (HF) results showed that the Rocky Leaf Prints had a larger downward trend, followed by Herb Tasting and Smelling. POMS scores indicated significant improvement for Rocky Leaf Prints and Herb Tasting and Smelling. The types including artistic creation and food tasting were promising methods for psychological relaxation, stress reduction, and vigor enhancement for elderly persons. Findings showed that the impact of activities involving contact with plants was more significant in short-term activities. We hope this study can help plan the horticultural activities of the elderly in the future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Types of Horticultural Activity on the Physical and Mental State of Elderly Individuals

Cheng

Hou

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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How outdoor horticultural activities affect elderly adults’ thermal, physiological and psychological responses: a field study

Du,

Wang,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Int J Biometeorol

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Effects of horticultural therapy on health in the elderly: A review and meta-analysis

Yun

Yao

Meng

et al. 2023

J Public Health (Berl.)

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Aim Given the current aging population, the demand on medical facilities, facilities for elderly care, and even their high prevalence, it is crucial to investigate the advantages of older people. The purpose of our study was to systematically review the existing literature on the health effects of horticultural therapy as a treatment option for the elderly. Subject and methods Article searches were conducted through five databases: Web of science, Science Direct, PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar, according to the standard method of systematic evaluation and meta-analysis. Thirty-two published articles were included, and 27 relevant variables were meta-analyzed to assess the benefits of horticultural therapy in terms of physical and psychological functioning in the elderly. Results Results show that horticultural therapy may be helpful in helping seniors lose weight -0.195 (95% CI -0.507,0.117), reduce their waist circumference -0.327 (95% CI -0.637, -0.017), lower their stress -0.339 (95% CI -0.610, -0.069) and cortisol -0.902 (95% CI -0.728, -0.002) levels, improve their physical flexibility 0.302 (95% CI 0.036, 0.569), social interaction 0.370, (95% CI 0.115, 0.624), and daily vegetables and fruit consumption 0.688 (95% CI: 0.287, 1.089). Conclusion Horticultural therapy may be a useful tool for enhancing the physical, mental and social aspects of the elderly. However, there is substantial heterogeneity and wide variation in the quality of the included studies. Further high-quality studies, rigorous controls and adjustments for significant confounding variables, and larger populations are needed in the future to further our understanding of the link between horticultural therapy and elder health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-023-01938-w.

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Efficacy of a horticultural activity program for reducing depression and loneliness in older residents of nursing homes in Taiwan

Cited by 38 publications

References 16 publications

Effects of Types of Horticultural Activity on the Physical and Mental State of Elderly Individuals

Effects of Types of Horticultural Activity on the Physical and Mental State of Elderly Individuals

How outdoor horticultural activities affect elderly adults’ thermal, physiological and psychological responses: a field study

Effects of horticultural therapy on health in the elderly: A review and meta-analysis

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