Objective : This study was designed to test the effectiveness of a nature-based craft program on hand function, attention, and depression of the elderly in community and to pilot the possibility of an indoor program for health care. Methods : The study participants were 10 elderly over 65 years old registered in a dementia care center in Jeollabuk-do, South Korea. The participants joined 8 sessions of a nature-based craft program. Before and after the intervention, hand dexterity was measured by the 9-Hole Peg Test, attention was measured by the Digit Span Test, and depression was measured by the Geriatric Deprssion Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 for descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results : There was a significant decrease in hand dexterity measurements (9-Hole Peg Test) before and after the nature-based craft program (p<.01). There was a significant increase on the Digit Span Test (DST), Forward Digit Span Test (FDST) (p<.05), but not on the Backward Digit Span Test (BDST) (p>.05). Also, there was a significant decrease in depression scale (GDSSF-K) scores (p<.05). Conclusion : A nature-based craft program improved hand function and attention of the elderly in community and had a positive effect on depression reduction. The approach of combining natural elements and creative activities are expected to be useful in the field of community occupational therapy as an indoor intervention program to improve health care for the elderly. Future study is needed to determine long-term effects and develop a systematic and sustainable program.
