Attention and Emotional States during Horticultural Activities of Adults in 20s Using Electroencephalography: A Pilot Study

A-Young Lee, Seon-Ok Kim and Sin-Ae Park
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A-Young Lee: Plant, Environment and Health Lab, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Seon-Ok Kim: Plant, Environment and Health Lab, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Sin-Ae Park: Plant, Environment and Health Lab, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: Since indoor, sedentary lifestyles became prevalent in society, humans have lost a sustainable connection to nature. An intervention utilizing outdoor horticultural activities could address such a challenge, but their beneficial effects on the brain and emotions have not been characterized in a quantitative approach. We aimed to investigate brain activity and emotional changes in adults in their 20s during horticultural activity to confirm feasibility of horticultural activity to improve cognitive and emotional states. Sixty university students participated in 11 outdoor horticultural activities at 2-min intervals. We measured brain waves of participants’ prefrontal cortex using a wireless electroencephalography device while performing horticultural activities. Between activities, we evaluated emotional states of participants using questionnaires. Results showed that each horticultural activity showed promotion of brain activity and emotional changes at varying degrees. The participants during physically intensive horticultural activities—digging, raking, and pruning—showed the highest attention level. For emotional states, the participants showed the highest fatigue, tension, and vigor during digging and raking. Plant-based activities—harvesting and transplanting plants—made participants feel natural and relaxed the most. Therefore, this pilot study confirmed the possibility of horticultural activity as a short-term physical intervention to improve attention levels and emotional stability in adults.

Keywords: gardening; horticultural therapy; nature exposure; physical activity; wearable device (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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