RESEARCH

The Therapeutic Effect of Edible Horticultural Therapy on Extrapyramidal Symptoms in Patients with Schizophrenia

A study found that schizophrenia patients who participated in a 6-week cucumber gardening program showed improvements in their psychiatric symptoms and medication side effects. The physical activities involved in gardening appeared to help reduce involuntary muscle movements caused by antipsychotic drugs.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Decreased Need for Pain Medication, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Counselling

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Growing Plants from Seed

Evidence Type: Randomized Controlled Trials, Quantitative Research

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

Access: Free

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Summary

This research study examined the effects of edible horticultural therapy (EHT) on patients with schizophrenia who were experiencing side effects from their antipsychotic medications. The researchers had one group of patients participate in a 6-week program where they grew and harvested cucumbers, while a control group did not participate. They measured the patients’ psychiatric symptoms and medication side effects before and after the program.

The results showed that the patients who participated in the gardening program had improvements in their psychiatric symptoms and medication side effects compared to the control group. The gardening activities, which involved physical movements like planting, watering, and harvesting, seemed to help reduce the involuntary muscle movements that are a common side effect of antipsychotic drugs. The patients also reported feeling more satisfied with their lives after participating in the program.

Link

He, H., Li, T., Zhou, F., Yang, Q., Hu, L., & Yu, Y. (2021). The Therapeutic Effect of Edible Horticultural Therapy on Extrapyramidal Symptoms in Patients with Schizophrenia. HortScience horts, 56(9), 1125-1129. Retrieved Mar 11, 2025

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