None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Chronic pain is common in our aging population. It negatively impacts on both physical and psychological well-being. This study aims to a) examine the prevalence of depression and chronic pain among nursing home residents; b) examine whether depressive symptoms are positively associated with pain intensity; c) examine whether horticultural therapy reduces pain and depressive symptoms and enhance the psychological well-being of nursing homes residents It is hypothesized that a) depression and pain will be positively associated; b) those with current depressive symptoms will experience more chronic pain than those without depressive symptoms; c) horticultural therapy will significantly reduce depressive symptoms and pain; d) the reduction in depression will be positively associated with the reduction in pain.
Interventions
A 12-week horticultural therapy will be given to the participants. There will be one session per week with each session last around 30-40 minutes.
The horticultural therapy will include an introduction of the gardening activities and various types of plants and seedlings; making natural pesticides, applying natural pesticides to the plants, watering and positioning plants. Pots, seeds and all other gardening equipment will be provided to each participant and each of them will be responsible for
A 12-week horticultural therapy will be given to the participants. There will be one session per week with each session last around 30-40 minutes. The horticultural therapy will include an introduction of the gardening activities and various types of plants and seedlings; making natural pesticides, applying natural pesticides to the plants, watering and positioning plants. Pots, seeds and all other gardening equipment will be provided to each participant and each of them will be responsible for growing their own plant. A planting diary will be developed and given to the participants for recording the planting schedules and photographs of their own plants. A group of 4-5 older adults will gather together in each session and the sessions will be led by the research assistant.
Sponsors
Dr. Mimi Tse
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
- aged 65 years or older - able to communicate in Cantonese - Mini-Mental State Examination score of 6 or above - pain in the past 3 months
Exclusion criteria
- bed-bound - history of mental disorders
Outcome results
None listed