Author(s)

Seigo Koura^1*, Akiko Ikeda^1,2, Risa Semba¹, Megumi Ito¹, Kazuho Nagao³, Kentaro Higashi³, Yusuke Kumura⁴, Hiroki Yokota⁴, Shinya Matsutani¹, Yasuhiko Fujioka⁵

¹Faculty of Rehabilitation, Nishikyusyu University, Kanzaki, Japan.
²Sophia Phyto-Therapy College, Tokyo, Japan.
³Social Welfare Corporation Kanjikai, Miyakonojyo, Japan.
⁴Department of Rehabilitation Center, St. Mary’s Hospital, Kurume, Japan.
⁵Fujioka Hospital, Saga, Japan.

The Japan Dementia Prevention Society conducted a questionnaire survey of dementia specialists conducted in August 2020. Regarding the worsening of symptoms in people with dementia, 8% answered that they “accept more” and 32% answered that they “recognize a minority”. In the previous research report (Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation Vol.8 No.3), we examined whether hand care therapy (HCT) as one of the passive horticultural therapy was effective in preventing dementia/MCI. Start of the test in August 2018 (I: BL) to February 2020 (VII: 18M) was, the use of HCT was to be effective in preventing dementia and MCI illness and slowing progression. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, VIII (24M) was evaluated in August 2020, and IX (27M) also measured ANS during activity. At that time, they divided into the Group E who had refrained from welfare facilities for the elderly due to the influence of COVID19 and the Group F who HCT continued. In the evaluation of VIII (24M), it was found that the cognitive function of the Group E was significantly reduced compared to VII, and Group F did not show a significant decrease. ADL decreased and depressive symptoms increase by continuing a life with less going out due to the influence of COVID 19 regardless of the use of the facility. It became clear that both Group E and Group F show good changes in ANS balance in the IX. Therefore, by utilizing horticultural therapy that the power of nature and plants in addition to utilizing welfare facilities for the elderly, cognitive impairment in COVID 19. It was expected to lead to prevention and prevention of negative psychology and behavior such as depressive views and depressive tendencies. In the previous research report (Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation Vol.8 No.3), we examined whether hand care therapy (HCT) as one of passive horticultural therapy was effective in preventing dementia/MCI. In the trend from the start of the test in August 2018 (I: BL) to February 2020 (VII: 18M) was, the use of HCT was shown to be effective in preventing dementia and MCI illness and slowing progression. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, various activity restrictions have been implemented in Japan since March 2020, and the number of elderly people who do not receive long-term care or rehabilitation has increased. Therefore, in August and November 2020, when the spread of COVID19 was reduced, cognitive function evaluation was carried out. At that time, they divided into the elderly group (Group E) who had refrained from welfare facilities for the elderly due to the influence of COVID19 and the elderly group (Group F) who HCT continued.

Dementia, MCI, ANS, Hand Care, Prevention, COVID-19

Koura, S. , Ikeda, A. , Semba, R. , Ito, M. , Nagao, K. , Higashi, K. , Kumura, Y. , Yokota, H. , Matsutani, S. and Fujioka, Y. (2021) Effectiveness of Hand Care Therapy and Garden Walks That Are Conscious of the Stimulation of the Five Senses for Recovery of Cognitive and Mental and Physical Dysfunction Caused by COVID-19. Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 9, 10-27. doi: 10.4236/ojtr.2021.91002.