TITLE:
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
AUTHORS:
Seigo Koura, Akiko Ikeda, Risa Semba, Megumi Ito, Kazuho Nagao, Kentaro Higashi, Yusuke Kumura, Hiroki Yokota, Shinya Matsutani, Yasuhiko Fujioka
KEYWORDS:
Dementia, MCI, ANS, Hand Care, Prevention, COVID-19
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation,
Vol.9 No.1,
February
26,
2021
ABSTRACT: 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.