2011 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Ergonomic Design of Wood Equipment for Horticultural Therapy Considered Physical Characteristics of Elderly Persons

Research Project

Project/Area Number	21580201
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	一般
Research Field	Wood science
Research Institution	Chiba University
Principal Investigator	OHGAMA Toshimasa 千葉大学, 環境健康フィールド科学センター, 教授 (60093209)
Project Period (FY)	2009 – 2011
Keywords	園芸療法 / レイズドベッド / エルゴデザイン / 高齢者 / 木製設備
Research Abstract	The purpose of this study was to obtain the basic data required to design a raised bed for plants suitable for the horticultural therapy in which elderly persons can perform gardening in a relaxed standing and sitting posture. Comfortable heights of working surface and reach distances were measured in a bimanual transplant task. Usability test was carried out to evaluate user performance and acceptance of raised beds built as a trial based on empirical data. In addition, the height of the table for indoor gardening activities was measured. The image structure of the group work with raised bed was analyzed using the semantic differential method.