2017 ASHS Annual Conference

The objective of this study was to assess the physical and psychological effects of an 18-session horticultural therapy (HT) program based on task oriented training in stroke patients and to investigate satisfaction of the HT program. The HT program was comprised of horticultural activities including the motions such as reaching-grasping, squatting, stepping, and stooping. A total of 31 stroke inpatients (16 males, 15 females) at rehabilitation hospital located in Seongnam, South Korea were participated in this study. Fourteen stroke patients were participated in a third-weekly HT program (6 weeks, approximately 60 min per session) in the period of Aug. to Sept. 2016; seventeen stoke patients who were not participated in HT were in control group. At the completion of the 18-session HT program, upper limb function (Manual Function Test), hand force (Hydraulic hand dynamometer, Hydraulic pinch gauge), fine motor skills (9-hole pegboard), balance (Berg Balance Scale), and activity of daily living (Modified Barthel Index) were evaluated in both groups. Additionally, depression (The Korean Version of The Short Form of Geriatric Depression Scales), rehabilitation stress (Rehabilitation Stress Scales), rehabilitation motivation (Rehabilitation Motivation Scales) and falls efficacy (The Korean Version of Falls Efficacy Scales) were evaluated. As the results, stroke patients in the HT group showed significantly improved upper limb function, hand force, balance, fall efficacy, activity of daily living, and a decreased depression (P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant change in the control group. Additionally, 85.7 % stroke patients in the HT group reported very satisfied or satisfied for the HT. In conclusion, the horticultural therapy based on task oriented training improved the physical and psychological function after stroke rehabilitation. Implementing a HT in rehabilitation hospital will effectively contribute to functional recovery after stroke.