Design of evidence-based Gardens and Garden Therapy for Neurodisability in Scandinavia: Data From 14 Sites

Abstract

Aim: A total of 14 Scandinavian therapy gardens were visited and data collected on plantings, therapeutic activities and assessment of effectiveness in Spring 2014. Methodology: Data were gathered by a questionnaire and by interviewing staff in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The data collection structured proforma used the post-occupation assessment method. Results: Gardening promoted physical movement, presented cognitive challenges and provided opportunities for social participation. Half the gardens were enclosed with sensory plants and 85% were adapted for wheelchairs. A total of 57% of gardens visited had simple designs with flowers, shrubs, lawns and trees. A social center was important especially for dementia clients. Planted pots were used in 79% of gardens. The effectiveness of therapy gardens was assessed at 71% of sites.

KEYWORDS :

• adjunct therapy
• dementia
• garden
• Huntington’s disease
• neurodisability
• quality of life
• Scandinavia

Acknowledgements

J Spring thanks the Scandinavian hosts, S Duport, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, S Turner, Trauma Clinic and G Hyde, London in Bloom.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust grant number F-1026699, 2014. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.