RESEARCH

Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Elderly’ Health: Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study protocol outlines a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of horticultural therapy on the mental health, cognitive functioning, and physical health of older adults. The study aims to provide evidence for the use of HT as a cost-effective intervention to promote successful aging in a multi-ethnic Singaporean population and data collection has been completed with data analysis ongoing.
Program Types: Therapeutic
Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors
Allied Profession Intersections: Occupational Therapy, Landscape Design
Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Growing Plants from Seed
Evidence Type: Randomized Controlled Trials
Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health
Access: Free
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Summary

This research paper is a study protocol designed to evaluate the effectiveness of horticultural therapy (HT) in promoting mental health, cognitive functioning, and physical health among older adults in Singapore. The study aims to address the increasing need for cost-effective and accessible strategies to support successful aging, given the rapid growth of the aging population worldwide. Seventy elderly participants aged 60 to 85 years will be recruited and randomized into either an active HT group or a waitlist control group. The HT intervention will involve weekly sessions for 12 weeks, followed by monthly sessions for 3 months. Mental health, cognitive function, and physical health will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention using self-reports, neuropsychological tests, and health screenings.
The HT intervention is designed to cultivate an interest in gardening and promote relaxation.

Each session includes breathing and stretching exercises, indoor horticultural activities, park visits, and outdoor gardening. Participants will engage in activities such as making pressed flowers, indoor gardening, visiting urban parks, weeding, and seed sowing. The program emphasizes education, mental stimulation, and social engagement, with facilitators using questions and answers to encourage active discussion. The study will also collect qualitative data via feedback questionnaires to understand the participants’ subjective experiences. The researchers hypothesize that participants in the active treatment group will show better mental health, improved cognitive functioning, and better physical health compared to the wait-list control group.

Link

Cassidy, P. (2019). The Portland Memory Garden: Collaboration in action. AHTA Magazine, 47(2), 4-5. Chan, HY., Ho, RC., Mahendran, R. et al. (2017). Effects of horticultural therapy on elderly’ health: Protocol of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatr., 17(1), 192.

 

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