Effectiveness of horticultural therapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Hiroharu Kamioka; Kiichiro Tsutani; Minoru Yamada; Hyuntae Park; Hiroyasu Okuizumi; Takuya Honda; Shinpei Okada; Sang-Jun Park; Jun Kitayuguchi; Takafumi Abe; Shuichi Handa; Yoshiteru Mutoh

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.08.009

Effectiveness of horticultural therapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Complement Ther Med. 2014 Oct;22(5):930-43. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2014.08.009. Epub 2014 Sep 1.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Regional Environment Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-0072, Japan. Electronic address: h1kamiok@nodai.ac.jp.
² Department of Drug Policy and Management, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
³ Human Health Sciences, Grauate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukba, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
⁴ Department of Functioning Activation, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi 474-8511, Japan.
⁵ Mimaki Onsen (Spa) Clinic, Nagano 389-0402, Japan.
⁶ Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
⁷ Physical Education and Medicine Research Foundation, Faculty of Medical Bioechnology, Dong-A University, Nagano 389-0402, Japan.
⁸ Physical Education and Medicine Research Center Unnan, Shimane 690-2404, Japan.
⁹ The Research Institute of Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo 158-0088, Japan.

PMID: 25440385
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2014.08.009

Abstract

Aim: To summarize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of horticultural therapy (HT).

Methods: Studies were eligible if they were RCTs. Studies included one treatment group in which HT was applied. We searched the following databases from 1990 up to August 20, 2013: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Ichushi-Web, GHL, WPRIM, and PsyclNFO. We also searched all Cochrane Database and Campbell Systematic Reviews up to September 20, 2013.

Results: Four studies met all inclusion criteria. The language of all eligible publications was English and Korean. Target diseases and/or symptoms were dementia, severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, frail elderly in nursing home, and hemiplegic patients after stroke. These studies showed significant effectiveness in one or more outcomes for mental health and behavior. However, our review especially detected omissions of the following descriptions: method used to generate randomization, concealment, blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. In addition, the results of this study suggested that the RCTs conducted have been of relatively low quality.

Conclusion: Although there was insufficient evidence in the studies of HT due to poor methodological and reporting quality and heterogeneity, HT may be an effective treatment for mental and behavioral disorders such as dementia, schizophrenia, depression, and terminal-care for cancer.

Keywords: Garden therapy; Horticultural therapy; Randomized controlled trial; Rehabilitation effect; Therapeutic horticulture.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Horticultural Therapy*
Humans
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Research Design
Treatment Outcome