Nature-Based Therapy: Its Potential as a Complementary Approach to Treating Communication Disorders

Nature-based therapy (NBT) has been incorporated into the practice of many medical and mental health professions. Occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and to a lesser extent, speech-language pathologists have used NBT practices as a complementary means of treating a variety of physical, emotional, and cognitive disorders. This article includes a description of NBT and the three types that comprise the practice and a review of the literature demonstrating the use of NBT in the general population and, more specifically, with individuals with neurogenic communication disorders. It concludes with a discussion of directions for future research of NBT

Pacific Review 2020

https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/pacific-review/1405/thumbnail.jp

EcoWellness: construction & validation of the Reese EcoWellness inventory

Multidisciplinary scholars have argued the importance of nature in human health for the past several decades (Kellert & Wilson, 1993; Roszak, 1992), and numerous researchers have identified the positive effects of nature on human wellness (Brymer, Cuddihy, & Sharma-Brymer, 2010; Kuo, 2010). The profession of counseling is based on the philosophy of human wellness (Myers, 1992), although the current multidisciplinary wellness models (Myers & Sweeney, 2008) seem to overlook the wellness benefits of nature. As a way to begin the systematic exploration of nature in professional counseling, Reese and Myers (2012) developed the construct of EcoWellness and described the construct as the missing link in holistic wellness models in counseling. They recommended that the next step in exploring the construct included the development of an instrument operationalizing EcoWellness and its underlying constructs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop and assess the initial validity and reliability of the Reese EcoWellness Inventory (REI). The researcher utilized a six-step instrument development method that included the pilot testing of an initial 111-item instrument with a convenience sample of college students (N = 264). After modification of the REI, a revised 62-item instrument was tested and evaluated with a simple random sample recruited from Researchmatch.org (N = 853). Participants completed the REI, the Five-Factor Wellness Inventory (Myers & Sweeney, 2005b), and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale Short Form (Strahan & Gerbasi, 1972) in testing the initial validity and reliability of the REI. Results of confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses and the associated univariate tests demonstrated a mixed picture of the instrument's validity and reliability. A lower-level factor model was tested and it was found to possess adequate model fit. It was determined that the second-order factor of EcoWellness dictated the relationships between the lower-level factors. The development and testing of the REI provides an initial empirical foundation for the integration of nature into professional counseling and counselor education. Further research is needed to replicate and extend the study findings through utilizing samples more inclusive of national distributions of demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and ethnicity

Perception of health professionals regarding the use of horticultural therapy

In some countries, such as Croatia, horticultural therapy (HT) is still in its early stages, which is reflected in the extremely low use of this therapy in practice. The main reasons for this are the lack of necessary infrastructure (outdoor or indoor spaces for horticultural activities) and formal education that would allow HT to be carried out safely. The aim of the research was to determine the awareness and perception of the staff of the Special Hospital for the Protection of Children with Neurodevelopmental and Motor Disabilities in Zagreb about the benefits and possibilities of introducing HT into regular therapeutic activities. The research was conducted in 2019 by means of a survey among members of the reference population, i.e., a sample of 120 health workers of the referred hospital. The results show that most respondents are familiar with the concept of horticultural therapy, while as many as 88 % of respondents believe that horticultural therapy is not or is insufficiently known in their environment. Most of the respondents do not recommend HT to their patients. Additional training in HT is considered important or very important by almost all respondents, regardless of where such training would take place. At the same time, 89 % of respondents believe that additional training and the use of HT would significantly improve the overall psychophysical condition of patients and stimulate more competition among colleagues which will lead to a broader application of horticultural therapy. The results show that healthcare professionals are interested in HT in healthcare facilities and are willing to be trained in its safe use

Horticultural Therapy in Tennessee

The purpose of the study was conducted to identify the existing HT programs in Tennessee and to locate the types of institutions, staff, activities, and clientele involved in those programs. Horticulture as a therapeutic medium is increasing rapidly, especially in the U.S., and there is a significant need to compile information about available programs in Tennessee. The Web-Survey of Horticultural Therapy Programs in Tennessee was developed and used in spring 2007 to survey members of the Tennessee Hospital Association, the Tennessee Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the Tennessee Master Gardeners; the Manager of Knoxville Sertoma Center Greenhouse; the directors of Cheekwood Botanic Garden, Nashville, Ijams Nature Center, Knoxville, and the Memphis Botanic Garden. The estimated population for this survey was 1,314 (=N) participants. Two hundred eighty four people started to take the survey and 198 of those completed it successfully. These participants were a little-to somewhat familiar with the use of horticulture as a tool for therapy. The results of the survey indicated there are at least 12 (=n) HT programs in Tennessee. The study showed that each horticultural therapy program was individualized depending on the type of client served, the type of funding of the institution, and the resources available for the horticultural therapy program. The survey found that the main purpose of the HT programs in Tennessee was to “improve mood” of their clients, following by “social interaction,” “stress reduction” and “motor skill development.” Ninety-one percent of respondents felt there was a need for an association in Tennessee, and 86% felt that there was a need for professional HT in Tennessee. A restive-healing garden was designed at the Parkwest Medical Center, Knoxville. The multi-use rooftop garden was designed for patients and staff to provide feelings of security in a home-like deck environment where patients might receive individual and/or group recreational therapy, physical therapy, and horticultural therapy; provide opportunities to relieve tension, frustration and aggression; provide opportunities for reflection, relaxation and privacy for staff and patients; provide opportunities for different social and recreational activities; and provide stimulation of the senses with color, smells, textures, and sound

Mental Health in the Workplace: Situation Analyses, Germany

[From Introduction] The ILO’s primary goals regarding disability are to prepare and empower people with disabilities to pursue their employment goals and facilitate access to work and job opportunities in open labour markets, while sensitising policy makers, trade unions and employers to these issues. The ILO’s mandate on disability issues is specified in the ILO Convention 159 (1983) on vocational rehabilitation and employment. No. 159 defines a disabled person as an individual whose prospects of securing, retaining, and advancing in suitable employment are substantially reduced as a result of a duly recognised physical or mental impairment. The Convention established the principle of equal treatment and employment for workers with disabilities

Official Proceedings of the One Thousand Three Hundred and Sixth Meeting of the Board of Trustees, Columbus, Ohio, October 7, 1994

This item is the meeting minutes of the Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University held on Friday, October 7, 1994, at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. Topics discussed at the meeting included the president's report, the Cleveland clinic/Ohio State University affiliation, the department and committee reports, the report on research contracts and grants, and the University development reports, the Ohio Medical School Consortium, the University membership in the Ohio Medical Transportation Corporation, expression of appreciation, the committee meetings, naming of park, personnel actions, resolutions in memoriam, the employment of architects/engineers and project managers, the award of contracts and establishment of contingency funds report, the sale of real property, the shared use of the proposed Edison Joining Technological Center, and the University development report

Official Proceedings of the One Thousand Three Hundred and Sixth Meeting of the Board of Trustees, Columbus, Ohio, October 7, 1994

This item is the meeting minutes of the Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University held on Friday, October 7, 1994, at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. Topics discussed at the meeting included the president's report, the Cleveland clinic/Ohio State University affiliation, the department and committee reports, the report on research contracts and grants, and the University development reports, the Ohio Medical School Consortium, the University membership in the Ohio Medical Transportation Corporation, expression of appreciation, the committee meetings, naming of park, personnel actions, resolutions in memoriam, the employment of architects/engineers and project managers, the award of contracts and establishment of contingency funds report, the sale of real property, the shared use of the proposed Edison Joining Technological Center, and the University development report

A Systematic Review of Studies Evaluating the Effectiveness of Horticultural Therapy for Increasing Well-Being and Decreasing Anxiety and Depression

This study is a systematic review of published research on the effectiveness of horticultural therapy and related interventions in reducing stress. Since the beginning of time, the great outdoors has been humanity’s source of thriving on earth. However, as industrialization, urbanization, technological, and digital advances continue to expand, human life has changed, resulting in many negative outcomes, such as mental health concerns related to stress and lack of outside engagement. The mental health and related health concerns in previous studies show to be depression, rumination, anxiety, mood and salivary cortisol, anger, general health, existential issues, and many more all show to be rising concerns if the world continues to stray from the great outdoors and activities related to horticultural therapy. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the current studies on the effectiveness of horticultural therapy and related interventions, validate the profession as a therapeutic intervention and rehabilitative medium, and encourage collaboration between practitioners, academicians, and research scientists