The Effects of Horticultural Therapy Using Lavandula stoechas on Vital Signs, Pain, and Sleep Satisfaction of Hospice Patients

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of horticultural therapy utilizing Lavandula stoechas on vital signs, pain and sleep satisfaction of hospice patients in order to maintain the quality of life of hospice patients. Elderly patients with terminal cancer participated in horticultural therapy programs using L. stoechas plants designed so patients could inhale the scent of plants through various activities by cutting, rubbing, or stroking L. stoechas plants. To investigate the effect of horticultural therapy, the changes of vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse and pain intensities were measured and compared before and after each session, and sleep satisfaction was measured for the previous night’s satisfaction after each session. As a result, the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease (p=.005) in pain intensity after the program and showed no significant difference in vital signs. The average sleep satisfaction of the control group was relatively low (6.5±0.3), but sleep satisfaction of the experimental group was 9.0±0.6, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=.005). For hospice care, L. stoechas plants have applications in relieving pain and improving sleep satisfaction for terminally ill patients.