ASHS 2024 Conference

The specific aims of this pilot study were to 1) determine if and which patients, receiving care for chronic lower back pain (LBP) in the UF Health Comprehensive Spine Center, were interested in therapeutic horticulture to manage LBP, and 2) quantify changes in LBP, functional tasks, and anxiety upon completion of a therapeutic horticulture session. The study hypothesis was that individuals participating in the therapeutic horticulture intervention would demonstrate improvements in spine mobility and physical function as well as a reduction in spine pain severity from pre- to post-session. This was a two-part study with a mixed methods design including cross-sectional survey and pilot experimental components. Results revealed that 68% of patients were interested in learning about therapeutic horticulture for LBP. Among those patients who participated in the intervention, improvements were observed in anxiety, spine flexion, and spine rotation to the left.