RESEARCH

The Perceived Restorativeness Scale Supports Horticultural Therapy in Hospital Green Areas, Data From 294 Questionnaires

The results showed that people involved in gardening activities felt more restored compared to those who just walked or looked at the garden occasionally. People who walked in the garden also felt more restored compared to those who did not regularly attend it.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: Chronic/Acute Health Conditions, Caregivers/Healthcare Professionals

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics, Rehabilitation Centers

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Physical Health

Allied Profession Intersections: Landscape Design

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Forest/Natural Area Immersion

Evidence Type: Randomized Controlled Trials, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness

Access: Available Upon Request

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Summary

This research aimed to evaluate how a garden environment can help people feel refreshed and renewed, especially those affected by stroke outcomes and neurodegenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. A questionnaire called the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) was used to measure this effect. The study involved 294 participants, including patients, their caregivers, and hospital employees, who were divided into three groups: those working in the garden, those walking in the garden, and those who occasionally looked at the garden without regularly visiting it.

The questionnaire, which took about 4-5 minutes to complete, assessed four factors: being away (a break from routine), extent (exploration and orderliness), fascination (the garden’s interesting qualities), and compatibility (how well the garden suits one’s personality). The results indicated that engaging with the garden, whether through work or walking, had significant restorative effects, much more so than just occasionally looking at it.

Link

Gianquinto, G., Righetto, C., Marino, V. et al. (2021). The perceived restorativeness scale supports horticultural therapy in hospital green areas, data from 294 questionnaires. ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1313: International Symposium on Horticultural Therapies: Past, Present and Future, 67-72

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