This study was conducted to investigate the effect of horticulture on hand function and cognitive ability of the old age with serious brain diseases. This study was intended for the inpatients in a geriatric ward, K hospital located in Gumi-si, Kyeongsangbuk-do, for dementia or cerebral apoplexy caused by brain diseases. Patients were divided to 7 of experimental group and 4 of control group. Horticulture program included flower arrangement in the first half and plant culture in the later half. As a result horticulture program test, Hand function showed significant development on both hands from 57.42 to 82.57 (p=.001) on the right hand, from 62.50 to 90.58 (p=.001) on the left hand. Change of cognitive ability show as follow. Communicational problem and senile infirmity of the patients with serious brain diseases made many difficulties. The numeral value, therefore, did not show significant development due to high individual deviation. As a result, horticulture program is effective for development of cognitive ability and hand function for the old age with serious brain diseases. Therefore, the more systematic horticulture program in the long view is expected to help the old age with serious brain diseases to raise the quality of life and give them effective affect.

본 연구는 공동생활시설에서 거주하는 지체장애인을 대상으로 원예치료가 손기능 향상과 삶의 질 향상에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 악력 측정 결과 실험군에서는 원예치료 실시 전·후 오른손과 왼손 모두 p<0.01수준에서 고도의 유의차를 나타내었다. 박스&블록테스트 평가결과 실험군은 원예치료 실시 전·후 오른손은 p<0.05수준에서 유의차를 나타내었고 왼손은 p<0.01수준에서 고도의 유의한 차를 나타내었다. 자아존중감 측정결과 대조군은 실시 후 수치가 0.2점 감소한 반면 실험군은 2.0점 증가하였다. 감정균형 측정결과 실험군이 4.1점 증가하여 p<0.01수준에서 고도의 유의차가 있었다. 대인관계 측정 결과 대조군은 실시 후 수치가 3.0점 감소한 반면 실험군은 수치가 1.2점 증가하였다.