Highlighting the Benefits of Therapeutic Gardens in Alzheimer's Disease by 18F-FDG Cerebral PET /CT

The Alzheimer's Plan 2008-2012 allowed the installation of therapeutic gardens for the structures welcoming patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) . The physical, psychological and social benefits are the improvement of the state of health and overall well-being. There is a positive role in social interactions for patients with AD who can walk in the therapeutic gardens. Indeed, this promotes meetings with caregives and other people. Using the garden decreases the stress level in patients (Ulrich). The therapeutic garden named "art, memory and life" in NANCY is based on art, nature and regional culture. This garden can break with the "artificial" framework of care services often perceived as stressful. In the garden, people walk around and have an experience that could improve self-image perception. A clinical study with 2 groups of AD patients hospitalized in UCC or Cognitive Behavioral Unit took place in Nancy. The evaluation of the QCS (questionnaire on self-awareness) was carried out at the beginning and at the end of the study, * a group of patients went into the garden: the QCS score increased * a group of patients did not go to the garden (they remained in UCC): the QCS score decreased