RESEARCH
Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Technology to Analyze the Benefit of Horticultural Activities
The study found that doing gardening activities indoors makes people feel more relaxed and improves their attention. The results showed physical signs of relaxation and positive changes in brain function after participating in horticultural activities compared to computer work.
Program Types: Therapeutic
Population Groups: Students
Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings
Allied Profession Intersections: Education
Measurement and Evaluation: Standardized Assessment Tools
Access: Paid
Summary
This research studied how gardening activities affect people’s mental and physical health compared to working on a computer. The researchers found that participants felt calmer and more relaxed when doing simple gardening tasks, showing changes like lower blood pressure and increased brain activity linked to relaxation. They also measured brain activity with modern scanning equipment, focusing on changes before and after participating in the gardening program.
The study shows that spending time with plants and nature can improve focus and emotional well-being. The overall results suggest that indoor horticultural activities lead to a more stable and relaxed mental state, which is good for psychological health compared to computer work.
