Cognitive and physiological responses to horticultural activities with real and artificial ornamental plants

Abstract

Muhammad Asad Shabbir, Ahsan Akram*, Adnan Younis, Farooq Ahmad

The current study evaluated the therapeutic effects of horticultural activities on psychological, physiological, and functional outcomes across four different populations. In this experiment, participants performing horticultural activities with natural ornamental plants demonstrated a significant increase in high alpha (artificial, 25572.02 uV²; natural, 33273.85 uV² ; p<0.01) and beta wave activity (artificial, 19093.08 uV² ; natural, 28962.9 uV² ; p<0.01), indicating improved relaxation and decreased stress levels compared to those using artificial plants. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly. Significant differences were observed in post systolic (artificial, 122.7 mm Hg; natural, 117.4mm Hg; p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (artificial, 80.39 mm Hg; natural, 78.83 mm Hg; p<0.05) between conditions after the session. Anxiety levels, assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) showed that participants who interacted with natural plants demonstrated a substantial decrease in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) following the activity (artificial, 45.16; natural, 40.24; p<0.05). It can be concluded from present study that horticultural therapy has shown consistent positive effects on psychological, physiological, and functional outcomes, making it a simple and accessible complement to conventional healthcare.