Structured floral arrangement programme for improving visuospatial working memory in schizophrenia

Abstract

Several cognitive therapies have been developed for patients with schizophrenia. However, little is known about the outcomes of these therapies in terms of non-verbal/visuospatial working memory, even though this may affect patients’ social outcomes. In the present pilot study, we investigated the effect of a structured floral arrangement (SFA) programme, where participants were required to create symmetrical floral arrangements. In this programme, the arrangement pattern and the order of placing each of the natural materials was predetermined. Participants have to identify where to place each material, and memorise the position temporarily to complete the floral arrangement. The schizophrenic patients who participated in this programme showed significant improvement in their scores for a block-tapping task backward version; whereas, non-treated control patients did not show such an improvement. The present results suggest that the SFA programme may positively stimulate visuospatial working memory in patients.

Structured Floral Arrangement Program Developed for Cognitive Rehabilitation and Mental Health Care

“…Patients with brain damage who received block-design training have shown improved reading and word-writing skills through their enhanced visual information scanning ability (Young et al 1983). The SFA program showed improvements similar to those achieved through block-design training (Mochizuki-Kawai et al 2010).…”

“…Schizophrenic patients sometimes show cognitive deficits as well as psychiatric symptoms, which may restrict their social participation (e.g., Bowie et al 2008, Green 1996. Mochizuki-Kawai et al (2010) tried to improve these patients' cognitive dysfunction, particularly visuospatial working memory. Twenty patients were recruited for the present study.…”

“…Compared to the pegboard and/or block-design training, there are two differences in the SFA procedure (Mochizuki-Kawai et al 2010). First, the SFA procedure includes three-dimensional visual manipulations that require more complex visuospatial processes than pegboard work.…”

“…While many hospitals and institutions have utilized gardening activities, it was not until 1917 when the first recorded gardening instructor joined the JARQ 50 (1) 2016 H. Mochizuki-Kawai for patients with brain damage (Mochizuki-Kawai et al 2010). In the SFA program, participants are asked to arrange natural flowers and foliage as per predetermined procedures.…”

“…In the SFA program, participants are asked to arrange natural flowers and foliage as per predetermined procedures. Mochizuki-Kawai et al (2010) developed program-specific tools (Fig. 1) that allow systematic and symmetrical floral arrangements to be easily created ( Fig.…”