Past Issues

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness with positive and
negative symptoms. Medications have limited effect in obtaining remission for
symptoms, especially in treating negative symptoms in patients with chronic
schizophrenia. Horticultural therapy (HT) is a possible alternative treatment of
schizophrenia. In addition, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered
to be related to the psychopathology of schizophrenia. Therefore, we intended
to study the treatment effect of horticultural therapy, and to understand the relationships
between serum BDNF levels and clinical symptoms in chronic schizophrenic
patients. Methods: During a one-year period, 20 chronic schizophrenic
patients with stable medication use, were recruited in a three-month in-door HT.
Patients received assessments with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
(PANSS) and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE), as well as had their peripheral
serum BDNF levels checked before and after their three-month HT. Results: Fifteen
participants had fi nished the program fi nally. Positive and Negative Syndrome
Scale (PANSS) and 7 out of 10 Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE) were signifi -
cantly improved after being enrolled in the HT program (from p < 0.05 to p <
0.01). Mean serum peripheral BDNF levels were also signifi cantly increased from
6.6 ng/ml to 11.71 ng/ml before and after a three-month in-door HT (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: In-door HT may be a cost-effective and adverse effect-free alternative
therapy for chronic schizophrenic patients. In addition, serum BDNF might be
involved in the psychopathology. But, it needs a large sample to prove those study
results in the future.