Structured Floral Arrangement Program Benefits in Patients With Neurocognitive Disorder

Effect of horticultural activities on quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory of community-dwelling older adults

This study sampled 86 community-dwelling older adults to investigate the effect of horticultural activities on their quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory. The results demonstrated that after 8 weeks of horticultural activities, the effect sizes (Cohen's d) of their quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory were 0.92, -1.32, and 0.62, respectively. Among the four domains of quality of life, the social relationships domain improved the most. For perceived stress, the score of the experimental group decreased from 1.70 (0.48) to 1.29 (0.58). For working memory, the score increased from 3.43 (1.13) to 4.14 (1.27), whereas the score of the control group did not change substantially. Statistical analysis conducted using a generalized estimating equation revealed a significant interaction effect between group and time (P < 0.001). This study provides a reference for improving the quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory in older people.

Effect of horticultural therapy on mental health: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Mental health assessment is a common topic in horticultural therapy (HT). Some study findings were contrary to positive findings, although several studies have explored the effect of HT on mental health and reported positive results. There is weak evidence in the benefits of HT based on evidence-based medicine. Stronger evidence of the link between HT and mental health will help in policy making by health policy makers and governments. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The purpose of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to explore the effect of HT on mental health. This study is the first meta-analysis of RCTs to provide critical evidence that HT has a positive effect on mental health. The effect size of HT on mental health was medium (0.55). The included studies had no negative effects on mental health. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: HT should be considered a useful therapy to be integrated in healthcare settings by horticultural therapists to improve mental health. In the HT program, indoor and outdoor plant activities, plant-related arts, crafts and other activities were common interventions to improve specific mental health problems through at least eight sessions. ABSTRACT: Introduction HT has been widely used to promote mental health. However, heterogeneity and sample size issues of randomized controlled trials made it challenging to illustrate effect sizes across the evidence. Aim The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the effect of HT on mental health. Methods We used the PRISMA framework. A keyword search of Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest and Cochrane was performed. The inclusion criteria were HT with RCTs and mental health assessments. A random-effects model was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results A total of 1,056 records were searched, and 18 eligible studies were extracted. The included RCTs had no statistical heterogeneity and publication bias. The meta-analysis showed that the HT experimental groups had a significant and positive impact on mental health compared with the control groups (effect size = 0.55). Discussion HT should be considered for enhancing mental health. The included studies had no negative outcomes and the most common HT intervention was at least eight sessions. Therefore, HT should be considered to enhance mental health. However, the concealed allocation and blinding processes should be improved in future studies. Implications for Practice: This study recommends that HT should be integrated into healthcare settings to improve mental health.

Electroencephalography (EEG)-Based Neural Emotional Response to Flower Arrangements (FAs) on Normal Elderly (NE) and Cognitively Impaired Elderly (CIE)

Background: The purpose of this study is to explore the differences and similarities of EEG -based neural emotional response toward flower arrangements (FAs) between the normal elderly (NE) and cognitively impaired elderly (CIE) in arranging flowers. Methods: The study participants included 16 elderly individuals: eight elderly people with normal cognitive function and eight elderly people with cognitive dysfunction. They were divided into two groups to arrange flowers, and six mood indicators (Engagement, Excitation, Focus, Interest, Relaxation and Stress) were measured with EEG before and after the experiment. Results: The similarities were that there was no significant difference in Excitement, Relaxation and Stress between pre-test and post-test for NE and CIE. The differences were that there was a significant difference on Engagement and Interest in CIE, and they both increased, but there was no difference with respect to them in NE. While there was a significant difference on the Focus of NE, it was decreased, but there was no difference for it with respect to CIE. Conclusions: A similarity on EEG-Based Neural Emotional Responses to flower arrangements between NE and CIE was that they both felt relaxation. The differences were that the Focus of NE decreased and the Interest and Engagement of CIE increased. CIEs were more interested and engaged in FAs.

Cultural engagement and incidence of cognitive impairment: A six-year longitudinal follow-up of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES)

Background

Active engagement in intellectually enriching activities reportedly lowers the risk of cognitive decline; however, few studies have examined this association, including engagement in traditional cultural activities. This study aimed to elucidate the types of cultural engagement associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment.

Methods

We examined the association between cultural engagement and cognitive impairment using Cox proportional hazards models in a cohort of 44,985 participants (20,772 males and 24,213 females) aged 65 years or older of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study from 2010 to 2016. Intellectual activities (eg, reading books, magazines, and/or newspapers), creative activities (eg, crafts and painting), and traditional cultural activities (eg, poetry composition [haiku], calligraphy, and tea ceremony/flower arrangement) were included among cultural engagement activities.

Results

Over a follow-up period of 6 years, incident cognitive disability was observed in 4,198 respondents (9.3%). After adjusting for potential confounders, such as depression and social support, intellectual activities were protectively associated with the risk of cognitive impairment (hazard ratio [HR] for those who read and stated that reading was their hobby, 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–0.85 and HR for those who read but did not consider reading a hobby, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.65–0.80). Engagement in creative activities was also significantly correlated with lower risk of cognitive impairment (crafts: HR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62–0.81 and painting: HR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66–0.96). The association between traditional cultural activities and the risk of cognitive impairment was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Engagement in intellectual and creative activities may be associated with reduced risk of dementia.