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Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Horticultural Intervention for Older Adults With Subthreshold Depression in Nursing Homes
Sponsor: Fujian Medical University
Summary
Subthreshold depression represents a state of psychological sub-health between normal individuals and clinical depression. It constitutes a high-risk stage for developing clinical depression and a critical phase for alleviating depressive symptoms. However, current research predominantly focuses on treating depression in the elderly, with insufficient attention to interventions for high-risk populations or limited to cross-sectional investigations of subthreshold depression risk factors. Therefore, prioritizing subthreshold depression in the elderly and implementing early interventions is essential. A 2024 article in The Lancet suggests that subthreshold depression treatment should prioritize psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments over medication. Horticultural therapy, an interdisciplinary approach integrating horticulture, medicine, and psychology, demonstrates unique advantages over traditional medical treatments. In practical application, however, limited resources may hinder adequate support for horticultural activities, compromising activity quality, reducing therapeutic efficacy, and restricting the widespread adoption of horticultural therapy. Integrating VR technology with horticultural therapy can provide patients with more comprehensive, personalized, and effective mental health treatment plans, empowering them toward healthier, more positive lives. Therefore, the research team designed a VR horticultural intervention system for elderly individuals with subthreshold depression based on the Social Participation Competence Framework.
Official title: Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Horticultural Intervention for Older Adults With Subthreshold Depression in Nursing Homes: Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
62
Start Date
2025-11-10
Completion Date
2026-01-16
Last Updated
2026-08-27
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Virtual Reality-Based Horticultural Intervention System
The system comprised six progressive horticultural tasks, each associated with a distinct plant: (1) Tomato Planting, (2) Corn Cultivation, (3) Strawberry Care, (4) Eggplant Harvest, (5) Rose Growing, and (6) Sunflower Expansion. All tasks followed the same eight standardized steps-land preparation, seed sowing, seedling fertilization, initial watering, secondary fertilization, secondary watering, pest removal, and harvesting-but were arranged in a clear gradient of increasing difficulty. This progression was reflected in expanding planting scales, escalating task complexity, heightened cognitive load, more refined judgment requirements, and varying demands on operational precision. Each task was performed individually by the participant using the VR headset, without any multiplayer or collaborative components, as the system was designed for personalized, self-paced intervention.
routine health management
This arm of seniors maintains their daily routines and participates regularly in the nursing home's daily activities.
Locations (1)
Nursing school of Fujian Medical university
Fujian, Fuzhou, China