Page 77 - JCBP-3-4

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Intervention through natural/digital art

A common complaint among them is memory loss, with approach helps the elderly feel supported. However, it
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statements like “I can’t remember things as well as I used to” is also necessary to inform them about the availability of
or “I’m forgetting more and more things.” There is a strong multiple consultation services, as becoming too familiar
link between these subjective complaints, depression, and with them may make them hesitant to discuss their mental
memory. This is particularly true for individuals aged 65 health problems. The illumination of the garden in this
– 75. Mild depression is often associated with physical ill study represents a therapeutic approach distinct from
health and typically accompanies a decline in motivation, direct verbal interventions by a therapist. It may serve as
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concentration, and cognitive function. While depression a form of social support that helps seniors recognize the
in seniors may initially appear mild, it can progress to a compassion of others and encourages them to interact with
level where it significantly impacts function, comparable others or simply engage with the diverse people, objects,
to more severe forms of depression. Therefore, depression and environments around them through illumination. For
should never be underestimated simply because the instance, the act of placing light on a living tree may have
symptoms appear mild. In addition, depression caused created a sense of spiritual dialogue.
by organic or drug-related factors is more prevalent in The limitations of this study include the fact that
seniors than in younger individuals. The existence of while we observed high levels of preference among the
“vascular depression,” related to cerebrovascular lesions, elderly and the possibility of improving mental health
is thought to be a contributing factor, as patients with from immediately after the installation of the illuminated
cerebrovascular disorders are highly likely to suffer from artwork to 9 months later, we conducted a retrospective
depression. This often results in a synergistic progression interview with representatives of the facility to extract
of mood deterioration and organic disorders. As anxiety more detailed effects and analyze their causes. However,
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symptoms frequently co-occur, it is necessary to not we will need to conduct quantitative statistical evaluations
overlook underlying depression when anxiety is the most in the future, such as measuring how much the frequency
prominent symptom. In cases of late-onset depression of the elderly going outside their rooms has increased.
associated with bipolar disorder (manic depression),
which typically manifests at a younger age, the presence of Further trials should be conducted with longer
an organic brain disorder should be suspected. Given the durations, larger sample sizes, and attempts to standardize
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high possibility of a synergistic progression of mood and the parameters of light therapy.
organic disorders, the illumination in the garden of this
study may have the potential to contribute to the recovery 5. Conclusion
from both organic disorders and mood disorders. In the As many of the residents were older seniors (85 years or
case of manic episodes in bipolar disorder, the illumination older), it was difficult to ask detailed questions, and the
in the garden, when considering circadian rhythms and number of questions was too limited to obtain a quantitative
seasons, may promote prosociality, leading to rich social nature of the data. However, when supplemented with
interaction between seniors, their families, and caregivers. interviews with care staff, the lighting itself was generally
This interaction could enhance therapeutic education on well received and had a positive effect on each individual’s
mood control, rather than risk excessive excitement. 42 well-being. Furthermore, it was suggested that the moving
In general, the lives of elderly individuals are surrounded lights provided a moderate stimulus — not too strong —
by experiences of loss, both large and small, such as for those with mild dementia, promoting their memory
bereavement and the decline of physical function. These and cognitive functions and calming emotional responses.
losses are often difficult to avoid and can lead to depression. The interviews with the staff members revealed a narrative
The triggers for depression in old age can be broadly suggestion of success in improving the psychological
divided into two types: Major life events and chronic stability and quality of life of the senior residents, which may
stress. Examples of life events that can trigger depression have reduced the burden on staff and fostered more active
include the loss of a significant other, bereavement, illness, communication within the nursing home.
conflicts with family or friends, acute physical illness, In the future, we will consider factors such as the age
leaving a familiar home (e.g., moving to a care facility or of the residents, pre-existing illnesses, and whether or not
moving in with children), or serious financial crises. 43 they have dementia. We also aim to capture quantitative
For social therapy, rather than engaging in intensive, and objective indicators of changes in mood after viewing
infrequent visits, it is more effective to maintain frequent the illuminations, whether spontaneous behavior occurs
contact, shorter interactions, such as asking if there is after the illumination ends, and the extent of such behavior.
anything troubling them during casual conversations. This In addition, further exploration is needed to develop

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2025) 71 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.5740