The Effectiveness of Horticultural Therapy on Life Quality of Cancer Patients
Date Issued
2012
Date
2012
Author(s)
Wu, Chia-Yen
Abstract
Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan for many years. This disease negatively affects patients’ life quality. In recent years, horticultural therapy (HT) has also been utilized as an option of alternative medicine for cancer patients to improve life quality. However, there is still not much emprical data to support the benefit of HT on cancer patients. This study aimed to assess the benefit of HT on mood and quality of life for cancer patients as well as assessing the benefit during the follow-up period.
This study applied the before-and-after design to evaluate the effectiveness of HT. Twenty-eight subjects recieved a 6-week HT program and completed questionnarie before and after the program. Besides, semi-sturctured interview held after the end of the program and interviewed subjects to complete follow-up questionnarie through telephone every three month until twelve months later. In pre-test and post-test questionnarie, PAD mood scale, EORTC QLQ-C30, and the attitude scale toward horticultural activity were carried out to evaluate the mood, quality of life, and attitude toward horticultural activity. Moreover, the items of mood, quality of life, and behevior of horticultural activity were included in follow-up questionnarie.
The results showed that HT program significantly improved patients’ affection and the attitude toward horticultural activity became more positive. But, there was no effect on quality of life. Moreover, subjects highly attended horticultural activities after HT. The mood effect sustained to six month and nine month after the end of HT but not related to the frequency of horticultural activity attendence.
This paper provides empirical data to support the benefit of HT program for cancer patients. It can be seen that HT could encourage subjects to do daily horticultural activities.
Subjects
cancer patients
horticultural therapy
alternative medicine
quality of life
follow-up
SDGs
Type
thesis
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