title: Horticultural therapy: a pilot study on modulating cortisol levels and indices of substance craving, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and quality of life in veterans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Horticultural therapy (HT) is a subgroup of occupational therapy (OT). Both HT and OT have been successful as adjunctive treatment modalities in substance abuse treatment. Studies have indicated that gardening promotes neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study intended to assess the effect of HT versus nonhorticultural OT on cortisol levels, depression, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol cravings, and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research team designed a randomized pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was open for participation from July 2012-October 2012. It took place during multiple occurrences of a 28-d treatment programs for substance use disorder at a Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants • Participants were 49 veterans, averaging 46.4 y old (SD = 11.9); the dropout rate was 37%.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to the HT or the OT group. They attended supervised HT and OT groups 5 h/d for 3 wk. Outcome Measures • Pre- and posttreatment, participants completed the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF), the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire (ACQ-NOW), the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Civilian Version (PCLC), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Salivary cortisol samples were taken at wk 1, 2, and 3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (F2,20 = 0.878) revealed that the HT performed was associated with a 12% reduction in salivary cortisol levels from wk 1 to wk 3, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .43). Separate 1-way analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) revealed no statistically significant differences in the self-administered tests, although both the Q-LES-Q-SF and CES-D showed a trend toward improving quality of life and depressive symptoms in the HT group compared with the OT group. Additional analysis of the nonbiologic tests suggests that most participants in the HT and OT had some benefit from the programmed activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The trends suggest that HT may modulate stress in veterans, as evidenced by decreased cortisol levels and depressive symptoms, and may improve quality of life more than the programs in which the OT group participated. Further investigation with larger samples, including a nontreatment control group, is needed to determine whether the observed trends are treatment effects or due to abstinence.
authors.forename: Mark B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Detweiler
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Self
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Luise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lutgens
authors.forename: Dong-Yun
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mary H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Halling
authors.forename: Tammie C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Rudder
authors.forename: Lauren P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Lehmann
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D066249:Craving / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D058611:Horticultural Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D014728:Veterans
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone