A horticulture therapy programme at North Lantau Hospital has helped to boost the confidence and mood of dementia patients.

About 60 patients with mild to moderate levels of dementia have taken part in the project so far.

During the programme, lasting six to eight weeks, participants performed simple tasks such as planting seeds and learned about different plant species.

More complicated activities include repotting plants in the hospital's rehabilitation garden.

Occupational therapist Doris Cheung said some patients had been reluctant to join the programme.

"They usually think 'I can't do it, I'm useless'. But by the activities, they can understand that they have ability to try, they have ability to do the things they can do," she said.

"At the beginning, they need assistance...but we teach them step-by-step, and then they learn what's the procedure needed for planting, and how to repot the plants, how the plants grow, and then they can document it according to our supervision or guidance."

Cheung acknowledged there's no scientific proof that such therapy can slow down the progression of dementia, but patients who took part said they were happier and more confident.

"We think the nature of [slowing down] the illness is a positive emotion, and we want the patients to feel better in order to prevent further deterioration," she said.

She added that in future, research would be conducted to see if the therapy could improve patients' physical capabilities as well.