Effects of horticultural therapy on elderly' health: protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Due to a rapidly ageing population in the world, it is increasingly pertinent to promote successful ageing strategies which are cost-effective, easily accessible, and more likely to be acceptable to the elderly. Past research associates exposure to natural environments and horticultural therapy (HT) with positive psychological, social and physical health benefits. This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is designed to evaluate the efficacy of HT in promoting Asian elderly' mental health, cognitive functioning and physical health.

Methods/design

70 elderly participants aged 60 to 85 years old will be randomized to participate in either the active horticultural therapy group or be in the waitlist control. Sessions will be weekly for 12 weeks, and monthly for 3 months

SUBMITTER: Chan HY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5576101 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature