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

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  • A-Young Lee

    (Plant, Environment and Health Lab, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
    Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106032, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Seon-Ok Kim

    (Plant, Environment and Health Lab, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
    Department of Bio and Healing Convergence, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sin-Ae Park

    (Plant, Environment and Health Lab, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
    Department of Bio and Healing Convergence, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
    Department of Systems Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • A-Young Lee & Seon-Ok Kim & Sin-Ae Park, 2021. "Attention and Emotional States during Horticultural Activities of Adults in 20s Using Electroencephalography: A Pilot Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:12968-:d:686315
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jiang Tao & Ahmad Hassan & Chen Qibing & Liu Yinggao & Guo Li & Mingyan Jiang & Deng Li & Li Nian & Lv Bing-Yang & Zhong Ziqin, 2020. "Psychological and Physiological Relaxation Induced by Nature-Working with Ornamental Plants," Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, Hindawi, vol. 2020, pages 1-7, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Seon-Ok Kim & Yun-Jin Kim & Sin-Ae Park, 2022. "Psychophysiological Responses of Adults According to Cognitive Demand Levels for Horticultural Activities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-14, July.

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