Effects of Horticultural Therapy on Korean Elderly with Dementia: A Meta-analysis

Purpose: The aim of this meta-analysis was to identify the effects of horticultural therapy on Korean elderly with dementia.Methods: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, and eight domestic databases, until February 2021. Data extraction and the risk of bias assessment were independently conducted by two authors. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis.Results: Of the 478 studies retrieved from the databases, 21 studies were included in the final analysis. A total of 93 outcome variables were analyzed in 21 literatures. The overall effect size of the horticultural treatment program was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.74~1.09, p<.001), which was statistically significant. Compared to the control group, horticultural therapy improved cognitive functions (SMD=0.71, 95% CI: 0.42~0.99, I2=79.9%), psychosocial functions (SMD=1.01, 95% CI: -0.70~1.31, I2=67.8%), and physical functions (SMD=1.05, 95% CI: 0.77~1.33, I2=72%) in Korean elderly with dementia.Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that horticultural therapy improved the cognitive, psychosocial, and physical functions of dementia patients compared to subjects in the control group.