Older Adults
Category: Older Adults, physical health, mental health
Title: Reduced stress and improved physical functional ability in elderly with mental health problems following a horticultural therapy program (2018)
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.03.011
Summary: This study investigates the effects of 10 horticultural therapy sessions on 14 older adults’ physical and mental health. Results found improved fitness and lower stress compared to the control group. The study design provides examples of self-reported fitness questionnaires.
Category: Older Adults, therapeutic design
Title: Indoor Nature Interventions for Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults in Residential Settings: A Systematic Review (2020)
Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz019
Summary: Most studies examine therapeutic horticulture outdoors; however, this review examines the potential health benefits of indoor gardening for older adults. Whilst the review finds inconsistent health benefits between studies it does highlight several factors which successful programs may support. Namely, supporting groups to interact socially, and individuals to feel in control of their experiences and to learn skills.
Category: Older adults, Dementia and Cognitive Health
Title: Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Asian Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial (2018)
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15081705
Summary: 29 older adults participated in 6 months of horticultural therapy within this RCT. Comparative to the control group, these adults experienced greatly improved feelings of social connectedness. Furthermore, their blood when examined showed reduction of markers which may indicate that horticultural therapy reduced inflammation, decreasing the risk of dementia.
Category: Older adults, Dementia and Cognitive Health
Title: Comparing the Effectiveness of the Frequency and Duration of the Horticultural Therapy Program on Elderly Women with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia (2020)
Link: https://doi.org/10.11628/ksppe.2020.23.1.35
Summary: The effect of a 15 session horticultural therapy program on health and well-being of women with mild cognitive impairment and dementia was examined. Results indicate that both short term treatment of 7 weeks and long term treatment of 15 weeks successfully improved participants feelings of satisfaction with life and reduced reported depression. Differences were found in the rate of improvement between these different programme lengths, leading to recommendations to have longer programmes with less weekly sessions for this specific service user group.
Category: Older Adults; Mental Health
Title: Effectiveness of horticultural therapy in aged people with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis A meta-analysis (2023)
Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1142456/full
Summary: This research examined the effectiveness of horticultural therapy in reducing depression among older adults. It found that engaging in gardening activities, especially those involving planting, significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to control groups. The study highlighted that participatory activities and therapy durations of 4-8 weeks were most effective.
Category: Older Adults; Rehabilitation; Physical Health
Title: Vegetable Gardening and Health Outcomes in Older Cancer Survivors A Randomized Clinical Trial (2024)
Link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2820223
Summary: This randomised clinical trial involving 381 older cancer survivors in Alabama assessed the effects of a vegetable gardening intervention on health outcomes. Although the intervention did not significantly improve measures of diet, physical activity, and physical function, it led to increased vegetable and fruit consumption and significant enhancements in physical performance and perceived health among participants. These findings suggest potential health benefits of vegetable gardening for cancer survivors, indicating the need for further research in more extensive and pandemic-free settings.
Category: Mental Health; Older Adults; Children and Young Adults; Therapeutic Design
Title: Horticultural therapy for stress reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2023)
Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1086121/full
Summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the effects of horticultural therapy (HT) on stress reduction. The study found that HT significantly improved psychological indicators, with notable reductions in stress levels. Specifically, HT was particularly effective for older adults and those facing educational stressors. The analysis also revealed that indoor and virtual HT settings, along with activities like walking, meditation, and plant-related tasks, were most beneficial. This research underscores HT’s potential as a therapeutic tool for enhancing mental health and reducing stress, highlighting its relevance for various populations and settings.
Category: Older Adults; Physical Health; Mental Health
Title: Effects of horticultural therapy on health in the elderly: A review and meta-analysis (2023)
Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10389-023-01938-w
Summary: A review and meta-analysis examining the effects of horticultural therapy (HT) on the health of the elderly. This comprehensive study included various HT activities conducted both indoors and outdoors, comparing them with traditional activities or therapies. The findings revealed significant improvements in both physical and mental health among older adults who participated in HT. Benefits included enhanced physical function, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, and overall improved quality of life. The analysis demonstrates HT’s versatility and effectiveness as a complementary treatment for the elderly, highlighting its potential to enhance well-being and mental health regardless of the participants’ gender, physical condition, or psychiatric status.