Effectiveness of Information Technology-Assisted Horticultural Therapy Program on Heart Rate Variability, Stress, Depression and Happiness Among Older Adults Resident in Long-Term Care Facilities

NCT06797804 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: SKH-IRB-20240809R
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 76
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to address existing research gaps by investigating the effects of technology-assisted horticultural therapy on stress, depression, and happiness among older adults residing in long-term care facilities. By examining the modulation of the autonomic nervous system, the findings will provide a foundation for developing comprehensive health promotion programs that integrate traditional therapeutic practices with modern technology to enhance the well-being of the aging population.

Conditions

Heart Rate Variability; Stress; Depression; Happiness

Keywords

Horticultural Therapy; Older adults; Information and communication technology; Mental health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (14)

• Heart Rate Variability, HRV

  The most frequently used method for Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) test. Heart rate variability (HRV) represents total activity index of ANS; The higher the HRV, the better the ANS control.

  Baseline, pre-intervention (T0)

• Perceived Stress Scale, PSS

  The total score serves as an overall indicator of stress levels. It demonstrates good internal reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.85. The scale comprises 14 items, the total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress.

  Baseline, pre-intervention (T0)

• Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15

  The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a widely used screening tool designed to identify depression in older adults. The GDS-15 has been translated and adapted for use in various cultural contexts, including Chinese-speaking populations. The scale demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's α = .94). The total score ranging from 0 to 15. The higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms.

  Baseline, pre-intervention (T0)

• The 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index, WHO-5

  The WHO-5 Well-Being Index is a brief, universally applicable global scale for measuring subjective well-being. The scale consists of five items, each scored from 0 to 5. The raw score ranges from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating greater well-being. The raw score is often multiplied by 4 to convert it to a percentage scale ranging from 0 to 100.

  Baseline, pre-intervention (T0)

• The efficacy of horticultural therapy evaluation form; EHTE

  The scale used to measure the well-being gained from horticultural therapy defines well-being as a state where an individual can demonstrate their abilities, cope with daily stress, be effective and productive at work, and contribute to society. The Cronbach's α value was 0.724, indicating good reliability. The total score ranging from 7 to 35. The higher the score and the larger the difference between pre- and post-tests, the greater the well-being gained by participants in the horticultural therapy.

  Baseline, pre-intervention (T0)

• Heart Rate Variability, HRV

  The most frequently used method for Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) test. Heart rate variability (HRV) represents total activity index of ANS; The higher the HRV, the better the ANS control.

  4 weeks after intervention (T1)

• Perceived Stress Scale, PSS

  The total score serves as an overall indicator of stress levels. It demonstrates good internal reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.85. The scale comprises 14 items, the total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress.

  4 weeks after intervention (T1)

• Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15

  The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a widely used screening tool designed to identify depression in older adults. The GDS-15 has been translated and adapted for use in various cultural contexts, including Chinese-speaking populations. The scale demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's α = .94). The total score ranging from 0 to 15. The higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms.

  4 weeks after intervention (T1)

• The 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index, WHO-5

  The WHO-5 Well-Being Index is a brief, universally applicable global scale for measuring subjective well-being. The scale consists of five items, each scored from 0 to 5. The raw score ranges from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating greater well-being. The raw score is often multiplied by 4 to convert it to a percentage scale ranging from 0 to 100.

  4 weeks after intervention (T1)

• Heart Rate Variability, HRV

  The most frequently used method for Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) test. Heart rate variability (HRV) represents total activity index of ANS; The higher the HRV, the better the ANS control.

  8 weeks after intervention (T2)

• Perceived Stress Scale, PSS

  The total score serves as an overall indicator of stress levels. It demonstrates good internal reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.85. The scale comprises 14 items, the total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress.

  8 weeks after intervention (T2)

• Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15

  The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a widely used screening tool designed to identify depression in older adults. The GDS-15 has been translated and adapted for use in various cultural contexts, including Chinese-speaking populations. The scale demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's α = .94). The total score ranging from 0 to 15. The higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptoms.

  8 weeks after intervention (T2)

• The 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index, WHO-5

  The WHO-5 Well-Being Index is a brief, universally applicable global scale for measuring subjective well-being. The scale consists of five items, each scored from 0 to 5. The raw score ranges from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating greater well-being. The raw score is often multiplied by 4 to convert it to a percentage scale ranging from 0 to 100.

  8 weeks after intervention (T2)

• The efficacy of horticultural therapy evaluation form; EHTE

  The scale used to measure the well-being gained from horticultural therapy defines well-being as a state where an individual can demonstrate their abilities, cope with daily stress, be effective and productive at work, and contribute to society. The Cronbach's α value was 0.724, indicating good reliability. The total score ranging from 7 to 35. The higher the score and the larger the difference between pre- and post-tests, the greater the well-being gained by participants in the horticultural therapy.

  8 weeks after intervention (T2)

Study Arms (2)

Information Technology-Assisted Horticultural Therapy Program

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention involves technology-assisted horticultural therapy sessions conducted once a week, lasting 120 minutes per session, over a total period of 8 weeks.

Other: Information Technology-Assisted Horticultural Therapy Program

Routine Care

NO INTERVENTION

No intervention will be applied to the routine care group.

Interventions

Information Technology-Assisted Horticultural Therapy Program OTHER

The intervention involves technology-assisted horticultural therapy sessions conducted once a week, lasting 120 minutes per session, over a total period of 8 weeks

Also known as: Horticultural Therapy, Horticultural activity, horticultural intervention

Information Technology-Assisted Horticultural Therapy Program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Agree to participate in this study
• Elderly persons aged 65 and above living in long-term care facilities
• Live in long-term care facilities for at least three months
• No gender restrictions
• Be aware, able to communicate in Mandarin and Taiwanese, and be able to express opinions
• The upper limbs can move freely and there is no disease that causes tremors in the hands (such as Parkinson's disease, hepatic encephalopathy, etc.)

You may not qualify if:

• Has participated in gardening-related activities within one month of receiving the case
• Those diagnosed with terminal illness or whose health condition is rapidly deteriorating
• Those suffering from Parkinson's disease, serious heart disease, dementia, mental illness (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.)
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with cognitive impairment (MMSE scores below 16 points for individuals with no formal education, below 21 points for those with elementary education, and below 24 points for those with junior high school education or higher.)
• Those who are unable to participate in the event due to severe speech, vision or hearing impairment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences

Taipei, Taiwan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (28)

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression; Psychological Well-Being

Interventions

Horticultural Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Personal Satisfaction

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Central Study Contacts

Jung Chia Hsieh, PhD

CONTACT

+886(2)2822-7101; chiajung@ntunhs.edu.tw

Feng Qiu Hu, BSN

CONTACT

+886-988724682; fany861128@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Ph. D, RN, Associate Professor

Model Details: cluster-randomized controlled trial，cRCT

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 21, 2025
• First Posted: January 28, 2025
• Study Start: November 14, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 8, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 8, 2026
• Last Updated: January 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)