RESEARCH

Effectiveness of Horticultural Therapy on Improving Memory, Alexithymia, and Severity of Symptoms in Patients with Persistent Depressive Disorder

This 2023 study explored if horticultural therapy could help with memory, alexithymia, and depression in 30 patients with persistent depressive disorder. Results showed that gardening reduced depression symptoms but didn’t improve memory or alexithymia.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma

Setting or Context: Community Gardens

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Increased Social Engagement & Skills

Allied Profession Intersections: Counselling

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Growing Plants from Seed

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Randomized Controlled Trials, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This study, published in January 2023, investigated the effectiveness of horticultural therapy on improving memory, alexithymia, and depression symptoms in patients with persistent depressive disorder. Thirty patients were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which participated in group gardening activities twice a week for eight 2-hour sessions, or a control group, which did not participate in these activities. The Beck Depression Questionnaire, the Wechsler Working Memory Test, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale were used to measure outcomes.

Results indicated that horticultural therapy effectively reduced the severity of depression symptoms in patients with persistent depression, but it was not effective in improving memory or reducing alexithymia. The gardening activities included active engagement with plants in a group setting. The participants were adults diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder. The study suggests horticultural therapy as a potential intervention to alleviate depression symptoms in this population.

Link

Salemi, M.H., Foroozandeh, E., & Asadi-Gharneh, H.A. (2023). Effectiveness of horticultural therapy on improving memory, alexithymia, and severity of symptoms in patients with persistent depressive disorder. KMAN Counseling & Psychology Nexus, 1(1), 1-10

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RESEARCH

Effectiveness of Horticultural Therapy on Improving Memory, Alexithymia, and Severity of Symptoms in Patients with Persistent Depressive Disorder

Summary

Link

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