Benefícios de um jardim terapêutico na saúde e bem-estar de pacientes com doença mental: Um estudo de caso

Sofia Preciosa  do Nascimento Silva; Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca; Antonino Manuel  de Almeida Pereira; Carla Sandra  Carneiro Afonso Varajidás; Eduarda Maria   Rocha Teles De Castro Coelho

doi:10.6063/motricidade.40173

Benefits of a therapeutic garden on the health and well-being of patients with mental illness: A case study

Authors

Sofia Preciosa do Nascimento Silva Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0960-9771
Sandra Celina Fernandes Fonseca CIDESD, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9468-7269
Antonino Manuel de Almeida Pereira Instituto Politécnico de Viseu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3088-8413
Carla Sandra Carneiro Afonso Varajidás Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5758-1649
Eduarda Maria Rocha Teles De Castro Coelho Cidesd, Utad

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.40173

Keywords:

therapeutic garden, mental health, psychiatric rehabilitation, well-being, horticultural therapy

Abstract

This study investigates the benefits of a therapeutic garden on the health and well-being of patients with mental illness in a day care hospital. The research was conducted between March 2019 and June 2020. It was developed in three distinct phases: the construction and intervention in the therapeutic garden, and the preparation and application of interviews with healthcare professionals. Fifteen users, diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, attended the garden regularly. The results show multiple therapeutic benefits, including increased responsibility and compliance with rules, improved socialisation, reduced stress and anxiety, facilitated emotional expression, sensory and physical stimulation, reduced smoking and fewer psychiatric readmissions. The garden promoted relaxation and the development of more structured routines, contributing to the users’ rehabilitation. The research reinforces the effectiveness of therapeutic gardens as a complementary approach to treating mental illness, highlighting their positive impact on patients’ quality of life.

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Published

2025-07-18

How to Cite

do Nascimento Silva, S. P. ., Fernandes Fonseca, S. C., de Almeida Pereira, A. M. ., Carneiro Afonso Varajidás, C. S. ., & Rocha Teles De Castro Coelho, E. M. . . (2025). Benefits of a therapeutic garden on the health and well-being of patients with mental illness: A case study. Motricidade, 21, e40173. https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.40173

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Issue

Vol. 21 (2025): Motricidade: 20 years publishing human movement

Section

Original Article

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