Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Asian Elderly' Mental Health
NCT ID: NCT02495194
Last Updated: 2016-05-09
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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UNKNOWN
NA
69 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2015-04-30
2016-10-31
Brief Summary
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It was hypothesized that as compared to the waitlist control group, participants in the active horticultural therapy will have (1) lower depression and anxiety symptomatology; (2) higher life satisfaction; (3) feel more socially connected; and (4) improved cognitive functioning.
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Detailed Description
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Assessments Demographic data will be collected at the start. Psychological tests for depression, anxiety and psychological well-being as well as neuropsychological tests of cognitive functioning will be done at the start, at 3-months and at 6-months. Blood samples will also be collected at all three time points.
Intervention Sessions This is an intervention study with a waitlist control group design. The strength of this design is its experimental nature with randomization.
The Horticultural Therapy intervention is delivered by a trained practitioner at various locations and consists of 1 hour sessions weekly for first 3 months, followed by monthly session for the next 3 months. The extension of monthly sessions for 3 months is to determine sustainability and longer-term changes. The intervention is designed to cultivate an interest in gardening and promote relaxation. This will be achieved in stages, facilitated by trained volunteers and practitioners. The plant would be selected based on subjects' profiles e.g. familiarity, preference, safety and its maintenance would be followed up every fortnight. Park venues were selected based on patients profiles and park features e.g. familiarity, comfort under weather, safety.
The control group will be placed on a waiting list and only be contacted for assessments. They will receive intervention after the active treatment group at a later date.
The horticultural therapy is conducted solely for the purpose of this research.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
SINGLE
Study Groups
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Active Horticultural Therapy
15 sessions of Horticultural Therapy program teaching the elderly about gardening techniques and for them to benefit from the therapeutic effects of the parks
Horticultural Therapy
The Horticultural Therapy intervention consists of 1 hour sessions weekly for first 3 months, followed by monthly session for the next 3 months. They will be taught on the basic gardening techniques such as sowing, weeding and fertilization during the hands-on sessions. They will also be taken on walks to the various parks to enjoy the therapeutic effect of the park greenery
Waitlist Control Group
Participants will receive the same horticultural therapy program at the end of the assessments
Horticultural Therapy
The Horticultural Therapy intervention consists of 1 hour sessions weekly for first 3 months, followed by monthly session for the next 3 months. They will be taught on the basic gardening techniques such as sowing, weeding and fertilization during the hands-on sessions. They will also be taken on walks to the various parks to enjoy the therapeutic effect of the park greenery
Interventions
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Horticultural Therapy
The Horticultural Therapy intervention consists of 1 hour sessions weekly for first 3 months, followed by monthly session for the next 3 months. They will be taught on the basic gardening techniques such as sowing, weeding and fertilization during the hands-on sessions. They will also be taken on walks to the various parks to enjoy the therapeutic effect of the park greenery
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
2. able to provide informed consent AND
3. function independently AND
4. With a minimum score of 22 and above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
2. Does not have a minimum score of 22 and above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment OR
3. Currently suffering from or have history of severe medical conditions e.g. cancer, stroke, Parkinson disease OR
4. History of severe psychiatric conditions e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder OR
5. Dementia OR
6. Undergoing another therapy at the same time OR
7. Significant visual or hearing impairment OR
8. Marked upper and lower limb motor difficulties, which may affect their ability to participate in the study.
60 Years
85 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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National Parks Board, Singapore
OTHER
National University of Singapore
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Roger Ho Chun Man
Consultant Psychiatrist
Principal Investigators
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Roger CM Ho, FRCP
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
National University of Hospital
Locations
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Training and Research Academy; Jurong Point Shopping Centre
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Countries
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References
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Other Identifiers
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B-15-016
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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