Study Suggests , Horticulture Therapy , Could Help Fight Depression.<br />PsyPost reports that a recent study suggests<br />that horticulture therapy may be effective at <br />reducing depression symptoms in older adults.<br />PsyPost reports that a recent study suggests<br />that horticulture therapy may be effective at <br />reducing depression symptoms in older adults.<br />The study was published in <br />the journal 'Frontiers in Public Health.'.<br />Horticulture therapy is an approach that focuses on plants, <br />gardens and gardening activities to improve an <br />individual's physical, mental or emotional well-being.<br />According to a systematic review of available research, <br />the greatest benefits were found for individuals in <br />care-providing settings who participated in the therapy <br />for 4 to 8 weeks.<br />PsyPost reports that while pharmacological interventions have <br />long been the primary method of treatment for depression, <br />side-effects have driven a search for alternatives.<br />PsyPost reports that while pharmacological interventions have <br />long been the primary method of treatment for depression, <br />side-effects have driven a search for alternatives.<br />According to the team's research, studies that <br />produced the greatest effects were those with <br />participants that took part in the process of planting.<br />In terms of the environment <br />settings, care-providing settings <br />were demonstrated to produce <br />higher therapeutic effects, Study authors, via PsyPost.<br />Participatory activities [where study <br />participants participate in planting <br />or gardening activities] produced <br />greater outcomes than observational <br />activities [in which participants <br />just walked through gardens], Study authors, via PsyPost.<br />Participatory activities [where study <br />participants participate in planting <br />or gardening activities] produced <br />greater outcomes than observational <br />activities [in which participants <br />just walked through gardens], Study authors, via PsyPost.<br />In terms of the duration of the interventions, <br />a course of 4–8 weeks of horticultural <br />therapy had better outcomes, Study authors, via PsyPost.<br />PsyPost reports that the study addresses the growing <br />scientific knowledge of how horticulture therapy <br />can help to combat the symptoms of depression.
