RESEARCH

Horticulture Therapy Effects on Memory and Psychological Symptoms of Depressed Male Outpatients

This study examines how horticultural therapy (HT) impacts memory and psychological symptoms in male outpatients with chronic depression. Conducted in Isfahan, Iran, the research involved 30 participants divided into experimental and control groups to assess the effectiveness of HT on conceptual organization, memory, depression, anxiety, and stress.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function

Allied Profession Intersections: Counselling

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Growing Plants from Seed, Forest/Natural Area Immersion

Evidence Type: Randomized Controlled Trials

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health

Access: Free

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Summary

Horticultural therapy, which involves therapeutic gardening activities, has been explored as a potential intervention to improve mental well-being. In this study, 30 male outpatients diagnosed with chronic depression were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which participated in HT sessions, or a control group, which did not receive this intervention. The HT sessions were conducted over five weeks, with participants attending two two-hour sessions per week in a hospital garden setting. Both groups were evaluated before and after the intervention using the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure test and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-44).

The findings revealed that participants in the HT group showed significant improvements in conceptual organization, memory, depression, anxiety, and stress levels compared to the control group. These results suggest that HT can be an effective complementary treatment for enhancing cognitive functions and alleviating psychological symptoms in individuals with chronic depression. However, the study’s authors recommend further research with larger sample sizes to validate these findings and better understand the mechanisms through which HT exerts its therapeutic effects.

Link

Najjar, A.H., Foroozandeh, E., & Gharneh, A.A.H. (2018). Horticulture therapy effects on memory and psycho-logical symptoms of depressed male outpatients. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal, 16(2), 147- 154.

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