RESEARCH

Horticultural Therapy for Improving the Work Performance and Interpersonal Relationships of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Participants increased their average work output from 9.9 to 11.3 paper bags in five minutes, and showed statistically significant improvements in hand grip (from 18.6 to 20.8) and pinch strength (from 6.5 to 7.4) after the HT sessions. Additionally, levels of VEGF—a brain growth factor linked to cognitive function—rose by 6.8%, suggesting a possible benefit of gardening for brain health.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Rehabilitation, Neurodevelopmental Differences

Setting or Context: Workplace Environments

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Cognitive Function, Improved Physical Health, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Greater Job Readiness & Vocational Skills, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Occupational Therapy

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Plant Propagation, Vocational Skill Development, Growing Plants from Seed

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Physical Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This study looked at how gardening activities could help people with intellectual disabilities improve their work skills and social relationships. Fourteen adults working in a sheltered workshop in Seoul took part in a 12-session horticultural therapy (HT) program that included planting seeds, watering, harvesting, and crafting with plants. The program was designed to strengthen hand movements, boost focus, and encourage teamwork. To measure the program’s impact, researchers tested participants’ hand strength, attention, job skills, and social behaviors before and after the sessions.

After completing the program, participants showed better grip strength, faster hand coordination, and an increase in the number of paper bags they could complete in a work task. Their interpersonal skills also improved, especially in early social behaviors like impulse control and one-sided communication. Many participants reported enjoying the program, and almost all said they would like it to continue. The study also found a small but positive change in a brain chemical (VEGF) linked to cognitive function, suggesting that gardening may help with mental processing, too.

Link

Son, HJ., Kim, DS., & Park, SA. (2022). Horticultural therapy for improving the work performance and interpersonal relationships of persons with intellectual disabilities. Int J Environ Res Public Health., 19(21), 13874

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