2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Methods for preparing a horticultural therapy program effective for tertiary prevention of dementia in nursing homes

Research Project

Project/Area Number	21792310
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Community health/Gerontological nurisng
Research Institution	Kyushu University
Principal Investigator	TERAOKA Sawa 九州大学, 医学研究院, 講師 (60325165)
Project Period (FY)	2009 – 2012
Keywords	認知症高齢者 / 園芸療法 / 三次予防
Research Abstract	We conducted horticultural therapy involving elderly patients with dementia from nursing homes, with the aim to clarify methods to prepare a horticultural therapy program which is effective for preventing the development of severe dementia. The comparison of changes in cognitive functions between the intervention and control groups showed that horticultural therapy is effective for improving “memory/learning” and “language” functions. Levels of salivary chromogranin-A measured before and after each session and subjects’ status during the activity indicated that the use of plants that are closely related to subjects’ life reduced psychological stress, improved memory recall, and promoted active conversations, suggesting that it is suitable for the horticultural therapy program which focuses on the tertiary prevention of dementia. In conducting horticultural therapy, more attention should be paid to people with hearing loss, those who have never experienced agricultural work, and those with cognitive impairments, so the effects of horticultural therapy may be increased.