title: Effectiveness of horticultural therapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of horticultural therapy (HT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were eligible if they were RCTs. Studies included one treatment group in which HT was applied. We searched the following databases from 1990 up to August 20, 2013: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Ichushi-Web, GHL, WPRIM, and PsyclNFO. We also searched all Cochrane Database and Campbell Systematic Reviews up to September 20, 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four studies met all inclusion criteria. The language of all eligible publications was English and Korean. Target diseases and/or symptoms were dementia, severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, frail elderly in nursing home, and hemiplegic patients after stroke. These studies showed significant effectiveness in one or more outcomes for mental health and behavior. However, our review especially detected omissions of the following descriptions: method used to generate randomization, concealment, blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. In addition, the results of this study suggested that the RCTs conducted have been of relatively low quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there was insufficient evidence in the studies of HT due to poor methodological and reporting quality and heterogeneity, HT may be an effective treatment for mental and behavioral disorders such as dementia, schizophrenia, depression, and terminal-care for cancer.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Regional Environment Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-0072, Japan. Electronic address: h1kamiok@nodai.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroharu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamioka
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Policy and Management, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsutani
authors.affiliation: Human Health Sciences, Grauate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukba, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Department of Functioning Activation, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi 474-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Hyuntae
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Mimaki Onsen (Spa) Clinic, Nagano 389-0402, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okuizumi
authors.affiliation: Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Foundation, Faculty of Medical Bioechnology, Dong-A University, Nagano 389-0402, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinpei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Foundation, Faculty of Medical Bioechnology, Dong-A University, Nagano 389-0402, Japan.
authors.forename: Sang-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Center Unnan, Shimane 690-2404, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kitayuguchi
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Center Unnan, Shimane 690-2404, Japan.
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Mimaki Onsen (Spa) Clinic, Nagano 389-0402, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.affiliation: The Research Institute of Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo 158-0088, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiteru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mutoh
mesh_terms: D058611:Horticultural Therapy; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Garden therapy; Horticultural therapy; Randomized controlled trial; Rehabilitation effect; Therapeutic horticulture