Horticultural therapy (HT) "is the engagement of a client in horticulture activities facilitated by a trained therapist to achieve specific and documented treatment goals" (American Horticultural Therapy Association, 2012). People's interactions with plants, through goal-orientated horticultural activities in the form of active gardening, as well as the passive appreciation of nature, could be therapeutic to people with mental or intellectual disabilities in many ways (Eling, 2006; Parkinson, Lowe, \& Vecsey, 2011). This study aims to conduct evaluation studies of HT group programmes for care home residents with severe mental illness.
This is a randomized, single-blind, controlled study in which the outcomes of the horticultural therapy program is compared with a comparison group. Outcome measures were compared at Pre-intervention and post-intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
A structured 8-session group therapy program, in which participants learn about plants, green spaces, plant-human interactions. During the program, the participants are guided by therapist to grow or take care of both indoor and outdoor plants, do small horticulture projects (like cooking, making drinks, herb projects).
4 session of semi-structured and free engagement in activities of their choice. The activities that they could choose are mostly table-top activities which are solitary in nature, and does not require social interaction.
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Wong Chuk Hang Complex
Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
Change in Mental Well-being
Chinese Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (C-SWEMWBS). The C-SWEMWBS uses a five-point Likert scale. The average scores for the scale ranges between 1 and 5, and a higher score indicates better mental well-being.
Time frame: Pre-test, Postest (8 weeks from pre-test), Change from Pretest to Posttest is assessed
Change in Engagement in Meaningful Activity Scale (EMAS)
Engagement in Meaningful Activity Scale (EMAS). The EMAS has 12 items measured on a four-point Likert scale. The average score for the scale is 1- 4 and a higher score indicates higher engagement.
Time frame: Pre-test, Postest (8 weeks from pre-test), Change from Pretest to Posttest is assessed
Change in Perceived Benefits of Horticultural Therapy
This is a opinion survey developed by the clinical setting to collect participants' attitude toward horticultural therapy. It has 7 items and participants are asked to respond using a five-point scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree". The average score ranges from 1 to 5, and a higher score indicates that the participant perceived the benefits of horticulture therapy as higher.
Time frame: Pre-test, Postest (8 weeks from pre-test), Change from Pretest to Posttest is assessed
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.