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Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Asian Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Kheng Siang Ted Ng

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Angelia Sia

    (Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology Research, National Parks Board, Singapore 259569, Singapore)

  • Maxel K. W. Ng

    (Horticulture and Community Gardening Division, National Parks Board, Singapore 259569, Singapore)

  • Crystal T. Y. Tan

    (Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore)

  • Hui Yu Chan

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Chay Hoon Tan

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
    Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
    Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore)

  • Iris Rawtaer

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
    Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore)

  • Lei Feng

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

  • Rathi Mahendran

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
    Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore)

  • Anis Larbi

    (Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore)

  • Ee Heok Kua

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
    Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore)

  • Roger C. M. Ho

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
    Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore)

Abstract

The effect of horticultural therapy (HT) on immune and endocrine biomarkers remains largely unknown. We designed a waitlist-control randomized controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of HT in improving mental well-being and modulating biomarker levels. A total of 59 older adults was recruited, with 29 randomly assigned to the HT intervention and 30 to the waitlist control group. The participants attended weekly intervention sessions for the first 3 months and monthly sessions for the subsequent 3 months. Biological and psychosocial data were collected. Biomarkers included IL-1β, IL-6, sgp-130, CXCL12/SDF-1α, CCL-5/RANTES, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), hs-CRP, cortisol and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Psychosocial measures examined cognitive functions, depression, anxiety, psychological well-being, social connectedness and satisfaction with life. A significant reduction in plasma IL-6 level ( p = 0.02) was observed in the HT intervention group. For the waitlist control group, significant reductions in plasma CXCL12 (SDF-1α) ( p = 0.003), CXCL5 (RANTES) ( p = 0.05) and BDNF ( p = 0.003) were observed. A significant improvement in social connectedness was also observed in the HT group ( p = 0.01). Conclusion: HT, in reducing plasma IL-6, may prevent inflammatory disorders and through maintaining plasma CXCL12 (SDF-1α), may maintain hematopoietic support to the brain. HT may be applied in communal gardening to enhance the well-being of older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Kheng Siang Ted Ng & Angelia Sia & Maxel K. W. Ng & Crystal T. Y. Tan & Hui Yu Chan & Chay Hoon Tan & Iris Rawtaer & Lei Feng & Rathi Mahendran & Anis Larbi & Ee Heok Kua & Roger C. M. Ho, 2018. "Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Asian Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1705-:d:162896
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    1. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Forest Therapy Program on Middle-Aged Females," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-11, December.
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    3. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Ako Takamatsu & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy on Middle-Aged Males with High-Normal Blood Pressure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, February.
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    11. Juan Du & Jiali Yin & Xiaomei Chen & Ahmad Hassan & Erkang Fu & Xi Li, 2022. "Electroencephalography (EEG)-Based Neural Emotional Response to Flower Arrangements (FAs) on Normal Elderly (NE) and Cognitively Impaired Elderly (CIE)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-9, March.
    12. Gert-Jan Vanaken & Marina Danckaerts, 2018. "Impact of Green Space Exposure on Children’s and Adolescents’ Mental Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, November.
    13. Silu Chen & Wanxing Jiang & Xin Li & Han Gao, 2021. "Effect of Employees’ Perceived Green HRM on Their Workplace Green Behaviors in Oil and Mining Industries: Based on Cognitive-Affective System Theory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-16, April.
    14. Song Song & Ruoxiang Tu & Yao Lu & Shi Yin & Hankun Lin & Yiqiang Xiao, 2022. "Restorative Effects from Green Exposure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-22, November.
    15. Ted Kheng Siang Ng & Lei Feng & Johnson Fam & Iris Rawtaer & Alan Prem Kumar & Grishma Rane & Irwin Kee-Mun Cheah & Ratha Mahendran & Yuan Kun Lee & Ene Choo Tan & Lee Gan Goh & Ee Heok Kua & Rathi Ma, 2021. "Mindfulness Awareness Practice (MAP) to Prevent Dementia in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial and Implementation Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-19, September.
    16. Yan Han & Yuehui Liang, 2023. "Scientific Knowledge Map Study of Therapeutic Landscapes and Community Open Spaces: Visual Analysis with CiteSpace," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-19, October.
    17. Sujin Park & Eunsoo Kim & Geonwoo Kim & Soojin Kim & Yeji Choi & Domyung Paek, 2022. "What Activities in Forests Are Beneficial for Human Health? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-29, February.
    18. Reo Jones & Robin Tarter & Amy Miner Ross, 2021. "Greenspace Interventions, Stress and Cortisol: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-21, March.

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