Brainwave measurements for lay activities with real and artificial ornamental plants

Objectives -Ornamental plants have a major impact on general well-being. However, few scientific evidence-based studies are currently available regarding the benefits of plants to humans. Our primary goal was to determine whether exposure to real ornamental plants during lay activities has psychophysiological relaxation effects in adults. Methods -Participants were instructed to perform a horticultural activity for 12 min (i.e., making a flower basket) using real ornamental plants or to handle artificial ornamental plants; the control activity and their psychophysiological responses were compared. Fifty Chinese females (mean age 20.14 1.47 years) participated in this experiment. Blood pressure and electroencephalography (EEG) were evaluated to determine physiological responses, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure the psychological responses. Results -According to the STAI data, the participants showed lower anxiety levels after performing the horticultural activity than after performing the control activity. In the EEG evaluation, variations in brainwaves were observed after both activities. Conclusion -In conclusion, horticultural activity using real ornamental plants can promote psychophysiological relaxation in adults.