Articles
THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF HORTICULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON PATIENTS’ COMMUNITY SKILL AND MOTIVATION IN A PUBLIC PSYCHIATRIC CENTER
Article number
775_7
Pages
55 – 70
Language
English
Abstract
Two programs separated by a summer recess were conducted at a public mental hospital to evaluate and document the beneficial effects of horticultural activities on patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The effects of the subjects horticulture experience and the program duration were also studied.
Each program covered a period of ca. three months with a 1.5 h horticulture class once (program 1) or twice (program 2) a week and included both a control group and an activity group in a quasi-experimental design.
The control group attended other scheduled hospital activities instead.
Nine patients to each group comprised the first study and 15 and 14 patients in activity and in control group, respectively completed the second study.
Various instruments were used for evaluation both before and after the program.
In attention test, the average of straight scores increased from 45.78 to 52.89 in activity group and the corresponding value of control group decreased from 53.11 to 47.66. The subjects showed no difference in hand dexterity test.
In comprehensive occupational therapy examination (COTE), the interpersonal behavior scores increased from 17.31 to 17.81 in the activity group, however, the difference was not significant.
The scores for the control group averaged 17.44 before and 17.39 after the study.
In rating scale for measuring the effects of horticultural therapy, the overall score in community/ survival skills increased from 3.37 to 3.8 in activity group.
Scores in basic work skills, dealing with authority, communication skills also increased significantly.
Patients without previous gardening experience showed much progress in their work behaviors while patients with gardening experience performed better in group adap¬tation and coping with the pressure and order.
The positive impacts of horticultural program on the patients were confirmed from nursing staff and occupational therapist.
The effects of the subjects horticulture experience and the program duration were also studied.
Each program covered a period of ca. three months with a 1.5 h horticulture class once (program 1) or twice (program 2) a week and included both a control group and an activity group in a quasi-experimental design.
The control group attended other scheduled hospital activities instead.
Nine patients to each group comprised the first study and 15 and 14 patients in activity and in control group, respectively completed the second study.
Various instruments were used for evaluation both before and after the program.
In attention test, the average of straight scores increased from 45.78 to 52.89 in activity group and the corresponding value of control group decreased from 53.11 to 47.66. The subjects showed no difference in hand dexterity test.
In comprehensive occupational therapy examination (COTE), the interpersonal behavior scores increased from 17.31 to 17.81 in the activity group, however, the difference was not significant.
The scores for the control group averaged 17.44 before and 17.39 after the study.
In rating scale for measuring the effects of horticultural therapy, the overall score in community/ survival skills increased from 3.37 to 3.8 in activity group.
Scores in basic work skills, dealing with authority, communication skills also increased significantly.
Patients without previous gardening experience showed much progress in their work behaviors while patients with gardening experience performed better in group adap¬tation and coping with the pressure and order.
The positive impacts of horticultural program on the patients were confirmed from nursing staff and occupational therapist.
Authors
S.H. Wu, C.L. Chang, J.H. Hsu, Y.J. Lin, S.J. Tsao
Keywords
horticultural therapy, mental illness, attention test, basic work skills, inter¬personal behavior, psychological benefits, gardening experience
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