원예치료가 공동생활시설 내 지적 장애인의 재활 및 삶의 질 향상에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This study was conducted to clarify the effect of horticultural therapy on the rehabilitation and quality of life of institutionalized intellectual disabilities. The experiment was performed with 8 controls and 8 subjects of J institution in Yongdam, Jeju. Horticultural therapy program was performed once a week for 2 hours total 20 times from Mar. 2009 through mid July 2009. Activities of daily living, self-esteem, interpersonal relation, horticultural activity, and group activity were measured before and after horticultural therapy activities. Evaluation in activities of daily living indicated that all functions except eating showed no change or worsened in controls, however, all functions except moving were improved in subjects. Self-esteem decreased from 13.25 to 13.12 in controls, but increased 2.62 points from 12.25 to 14.87 significantly at the level of 95% in the subjects. Interpersonal evaluation showed no difference from 42.25 to 42.25 in controls, but increased 8.62 points from 41.75 to 50.37 showing very significant change at the level of 99%. Horticultural therapy evaluation increased very significantly (99%) in participation, interest and assistance, verbal interaction during activity, self-concept and identity, need-drive adaptation, interpersonal and social relations, cognition and problem solving, and exercise perceptivity. Life-tasks skill and vocational adjustment increased significantly at the level of 95%. Group activity evaluation increased very significantly (99%) in physical/perceptual abilities, social interaction, cognitive ability, emotion status, and vocational interests. However, mobility and writing ability scored high but not statistically significant. From the above results, horticultural therapy proved effective in rehabilitation and quality of life of institutionalized intellectual disabilities.