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

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 and Roger C. M. Ho
Additional contact information
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
Iris Rawtaer: Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, 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
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
Roger C. M. Ho: Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-14

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.

Keywords: horticultural therapy; RCT (randomized controlled trial); cytokines; IL-6; positive relationship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

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