Rehabilitation
Category: Physical Health, rehabilitation, qualitative
Title: The Value of a Therapeutic Gardening Intervention for Post-Stroke Patients’
Engagement During Rehabilitation: An Exploratory Qualitative Study (2016)
Summary: Little research has examined the benefits of therapeutic gardening on stroke rehabilitation. This study analysed interviews and participant diaries to determine the effectiveness of 10 bi-weekly therapeutic horticulture sessions in conjunction with their normal rehabilitation programme. Participants reported a positive experience of nature in which they felt able to explore self-expression and spirituality. In relation to their recovery participants felt it boosted their feelings of control and acted as a bridge between hospital and returning to the real world.
Category: Therapeutic Design; Physical Health; Rehabilitation
Title: Inhalation of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Related Anxiety and Stress in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Moderate to Severe Pain (2023)
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17010001
Summary: A recent study involving 57 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) explored the effects of inhaling geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens, GEO) on pain and psychological well-being. Of the participants, 28% reported mild pain, while 72% experienced moderate to severe pain. Patients were randomised to either a GEO inhalation group or a control group, allowing for between-group comparisons. The results showed significant reductions in pain, anxiety, and stress scores in the GEO group compared to the control group, particularly among those with moderate to severe pain. These findings suggest that GEO inhalation could complement traditional pain management strategies and highlight the therapeutic potential of plant-based sensory activities in promoting physical and emotional well-being.
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.