Experience of participating in accessible garden of persons with spinal cord injury: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) patients have suffered from not only physical issues but also, they suffered from mental and psychosocial issues. SCI also affects a person's familial and social life. Occupational Therapist has an important role to engage a person with SCI in productivity and leisure activities as well as improving their psychosocial well-being. Persons with SCI can become independent financially and their disability-related mental stress can be relieved by performing gardening activities. Aim: This research aimed to explore the experience of participating in accessible gardens of persons with Spinal Cord Injuries in Bangladesh. Methods: This study was conducted with the phenomenological approach of qualitative research design. Eight persons with SCI participated in this study who were admitted to CRP, Bangladesh, and engaged in CRP's garden activities. Both paraplegic and tetraplegic participants were in this study. A face-to-face semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from the participants. Data were analysed by thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's six steps. Results: Eight main themes have emerged from the data analysis including Understanding about accessible garden, Components of the accessible garden, Motivation about gardening, Preference, Usefulness during rehabilitation, New experience after gardening, Difficulties during gardening, and participant's opinion about garden. Participants found the garden accessible to them which was the precondition to be experienced the garden as beneficial. Gardening as leisure was a common view amongst participants, while income source was the most important thing for people with SCI. The major finding was that working in this garden was meaningful activity for the participants when they saw that they grew some vegetables with their own hands. The most important opinion of the participants regarding garden is that gardening is an effective leisure activity for people with SCI and that it should be done from ward level and should be done regularly. Conclusion: The study found that gardening activities are beneficial for physical and mental health, and can be used as an additional setting for training people with SCI. It can support productive work, fulfilment, independence, and meaningful work. Health professionals need to plan an effective gardening program to ensure a better experience. Keywords: Spinal Cord Injury, Participation, Accessible garden