Effect of Horticulture Therapy on Level of Stress

A child should grow up in a family. Permanent parental care is the ideal situation for every child. There have been decades of research on the topic of institutionalization and the extreme negative effects on children including stress. Horticulture therapy has been found to be much effective in reducing stress. Considering the importance of nurturing healthy children even in institutions and relieving stress, horticulture therapy was implemented as a complimentary therapy. Aim To assess the level of stress and effect of horticulture therapy on level of stress among selected institutionalized children at Trivandrum district. Materials and Methods The study was conducted using equivalent pre-test post-test control group design in the year 2014. Sixty samples between the age group of 10-15 years were selected and assigned into two groups, 30 in experimental and 30 in control group respectively. The level of stress was assessed using self-structured stress questionnaire with interview method. Intervention was given for 45mins daily for a period of 3 weeks to those who found to be having various levels of stress. After 3 weeks of intervention post-test was conducted using the same questionnaire. Findings Horticulture therapy was found to be effective in reducing level of stress among Institutionalized children. Conclusion There was significant difference on level of stress before and after horticulture therapy, it can be concluded that horticulture therapy is a cheaper and effortless therapy for reducing stress.