Planting Occupational Therapy Significantly Reduces Auditory Hallucinations in Psychiatric Patients, New Study Finds

Gloria Florensia Br Surbakti Rabu, Agustus 19, 2026
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Planting occupational therapy significantly reduces the signs and symptoms of auditory hallucinations among psychiatric patients. The clinical trial was conducted between April and June 2026 by lead researcher Jumilia from the Health Institute Payung Negeri Pekanbaru, in collaboration with Devika Handayani from Tampan Mental Hospital in Pekanbaru, Riau Province. Published in the International Journal of Natural and Health Sciences in 2026, the findings highlight a low-cost, non-pharmacological therapeutic intervention that provides immediate, tangible relief for individuals suffering from severe psychiatric disorders.

Background and Clinical Context

Auditory hallucinations represent one of the most debilitating symptoms of schizophrenia and related psychiatric conditions. Approximately 90% of individuals diagnosed with severe mental disorders experience hallucinations, with auditory disturbances being the most prevalent. Patients frequently hear non-existent voices that disrupt their sleep, induce severe anxiety, and interfere with daily functioning.

While medication remains a cornerstone of psychiatric care, non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly vital for long-term recovery and rehabilitation. Engaging patients in structured physical activities like gardening offers a holistic approach to mental health care. It channels physical energy, stimulates sensory responses, and reconnects individuals with external reality.

Research Methodology

The study utilized a quantitative quasi-experimental research design featuring a one-group pretest-posttest framework.

  • Study Location: Conducted in the Siak Ward at Tampan Mental Hospital, Pekanbaru, Riau Province.
  • Participant Group: A targeted sample of 10 female schizophrenia patients experiencing active auditory hallucinations selected via purposive sampling.
  • Therapeutic Protocol: A structured 5-day program combining psychoeducation—such as identifying hallucinations, practicing voice-rejection techniques, and setting daily routines—with daily hands-on gardening activities. Patients planted and cared for crops including chili, tomato, eggplant, and bell pepper seeds in polybags.
  • Measurement Instrument: Hallucination severity was evaluated before and after the intervention using the standardized Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests at a 95% confidence level ($\alpha = 0.05$).

Key Findings and Quantitative Results

The quantitative analysis demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in auditory hallucination severity following the introduction of planting therapy:

  • Pre-Therapy Severity: Prior to participating in planting occupational therapy, the average score for hallucination signs and symptoms stood at 29.60, with a standard deviation of 5.929.
  • Post-Therapy Severity: Following the completion of the planting occupational therapy sessions, the average score dropped significantly to 22.30, with a standard deviation of 3.802.
  • Statistical Significance: The paired t-test yielded a p-value of 0.001 ($p < 0.05$), confirming that planting occupational therapy produces a statistically significant decrease in auditory hallucination symptoms.

Behavioral observations recorded during the trial indicated that patients became calmer, showed marked improvements in concentration, and interacted more actively with hospital staff and peers. Light physical actions—such as handling soil, planting seeds, and watering plants—served as positive distractions that diverted patient focus away from internal hallucinatory stimuli toward productive real-world tasks.

Physiological Mechanisms and Real-World Impact

The success of planting occupational therapy lies in its dual physiological and psychological benefits. Engaging in light gardening stimulates fine and gross motor functions while promoting the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and emotional stability. Furthermore, working in natural green settings helps lower cortisol levels, reducing systemic stress and anxiety that often trigger hallucinatory episodes.

Because planting therapy requires no specialized medical equipment and carries minimal costs, it presents an accessible model for psychiatric facilities, outpatient clinics, and community-based rehabilitation centers.

Emphasizing the value of sensory engagement in psychiatric recovery, Jumilia from the Health Institute Payung Negeri Pekanbaru noted that structured planting activities help ground patients in reality:

"Planting activities not only help reduce patients' involvement with their hallucinatory world, but also stimulate more conscious thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This activity provides natural entertainment and positive distraction, allowing patients to regain focus without directly concentrating on their hallucinatory experience."

Strategic Recommendations

Based on these evidence-based outcomes, the research team recommends integrating planting occupational therapy into standard clinical routines at Tampan Mental Hospital, scheduling structured sessions at least twice per week. Expanding planting activities to outpatient care and home environments can further reinforce long-term recovery and support holistic psychiatric nursing services.

Author Profiles

  • Jumilia, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep.

Affiliation: Health Institute Payung Negeri Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia

Expertise: Psychiatric Nursing, Mental Health Rehabilitation, and Occupational Therapy.

  • Devika Handayani, S.Kep., Ns.

Affiliation: Tampan Mental Hospital Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia

Expertise: Clinical Psychiatric Care and Mental Health Interventions.

Research Source Information

 


Gloria Florensia Br Surbakti

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