Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture 33.1 - 2023

Horticultural therapy is increasingly being used in clinical contexts and a growing number of studies over the past two decades have demonstrated its efficacy in improving physical, psychological, and social health. Bonsai has been advocated as a form of horticultural, nature-assisted, therapy. The few studies which exist have demonstrated preventative and restorative effects on mood state, relaxation, resilience, creativity, and adaptability. The current study further explored therapeutic benefits, and associated possible mechanisms, of growing and caring for bonsai trees. 161 amateur bonsai artists, and 11 professional bonsai artists, completed an online open-ended survey which explored why and how people began bonsai as a hobby and/or profession, whether bonsai provided therapeutic benefits, and experiences of caring for bonsai. Thematic analysis indicated considerable therapeutic benefits, not previously described in literature, linked to nine major themes: 1) how I got into bonsai, 2) a bonsai is for life, 3) an authentic life through bonsai, 4) a personal medicine, 5) patience, 6) quiet enjoyment, 7) people connections, 8) nature connections, and 9) one of the family. It is concluded that bonsai facilitate holistic health and wellbeing and therefore represent a viable avenue for horticultural therapy.

Self-regulation is a health challenge experienced by individuals and populations across the lifespan that can impact relationships, safety of the individual and community, and ability to function in society. Challenges to self-regulation manifest in many ways based on an individual’s neurodiversity. The neuroscience foundations of self-regulation are  complex and play an important role in human behavior. Strategies that can effectively address and treat self-regulation challenges are in demand because of the variety of populations exhibiting dysregulation. Horticultural therapy, a modality that can be delivered as treatment, less formalized therapeutic intervention, or recreation is being used across corrections, addictions, mental health, pediatric and other populations where self-regulation is a challenge. Understanding self-regulation, neuroscience connections to self-regulation, and applications of horticultural therapy can shed light on this topic which has limited literature within the profession.

Human trafficking is a growing issue in society, with numbers continuing to expand exponentially. Part of a larger health issue of trauma, in a field dealing with wide-ranging causes of trauma, this paper focuses on female survivors of human trafficking (FSHT) and a specific health intervention of horticultural therapy, now being introduced into therapeutic services for this population. Horticultural therapy, a recognized modality within therapeutic and medical communities, uses plant and gardening activities delivered by trained therapists, in both formalized treatment processes and less formal interventions to address the multi-faceted complexities of this health and human crisis which includes sexual abuse, violence, physical harm and psychological trauma. To date applications of horticultural therapy for FSHT have been limited. This paper will provide background information and applications of horticultural therapy for female survivors of human trafficking. Informing health care professionals and those working in the field of human trafficking about this health modality will expand its applications, so that more services are available to women surviving human trafficking to aid in their recovery and healing.

With the consistently increasing number of transplant patients in hospital and medical settings, providing clinically relevant, engaging Horticultural Therapy activities for this growing population has become necessary. An increase in literature and analysis of such activities would be beneficial and timely for the creation of clinical practice guidelines in this specified subfield of the profession. Here is one such analysis of a sleep pouch activity along with specific alternate variations for interest, ability and clinical goals respectively. Special considerations, knowledge and experience pertaining to materials, instructions, budgeting and contraindications (along with participation encouragement tips) are included based on initial trials with this activity.

The case study is a Taiwanese elderly female with low motivation due to frontal lobe damage who participated in six sessions of horticultural therapy that addressed her low motivation, low self-efficacy, reluctance to drink water, and passivity in social interaction.Evaluations one week pre and one week post by both the client and staff reflect the client’s enhanced self-efficacy in daily life coping and motivation. The client expressed subjective increased connectedness with others and connectedness with nature. The case study discusses the mixed approach of individual and group treatment that has fit the needs of the client in developing independence in tasks while also achieving improved social integration.