SynthesisFrontiers in public health2026
Dose-response efficacy of horticultural therapy for geriatric depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Horticultural therapy (HT) is a promising non-pharmacological intervention for geriatric depression. However, the optimal "dose" required for maximum clinical efficacy remains poorly defined. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of HT in alleviating geriatric depression and to quantify the dose-response relationship between intervention intensity and clinical outcomes. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across eight databases (including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, etc) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to 24 February 2026. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were pooled using a random-effects model. The dose-response relationship was modeled using restricted cubic splines (RCS). Results: A total of eight RCTs involving 585 participants were initially identified. Systematic sensitivity analysis identified one study as a significant statistical outlier. After its exclusion, the final meta-analysis included seven studies with 435 participants. HT was associated with a significant reduction in geriatric depression scores (SMD = -0.52; 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.18; Conclusion: HT is an effective intervention for geriatric depression. A cumulative dose of 700-800 min represents a potential exploratory therapeutic window for maximizing efficacy while minimizing potential fatigue in frail older adults. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, CRD420261323722.
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