RESEARCH

Effects of Cognitive Demand Levels for Various Horticultural Activities on Psychophysiological Responses in Adults

This study found that more difficult gardening tasks activated brain areas related to memory and concentration, while easier tasks were more relaxing. The researchers suggest that gardening activities at appropriate difficulty levels could be used to produce specific mental and physical effects in adults.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: General Population

Setting or Context: Community Gardens

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health, Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This study examined how different gardening activities affect adults’ mental and physical responses, depending on how cognitively demanding the tasks are. The researchers had 32 young adults perform 10 common gardening activities like planting, harvesting, and flower arranging at two levels of difficulty. They measured participants’ brain activity, heart rate, and emotions during these tasks to see how the different activities and difficulty levels impacted them.

The results showed that more challenging gardening tasks tended to activate areas of the brain involved in working memory and focus. However, simpler gardening activities were found to be more relaxing and emotionally calming for participants. The researchers concluded that gardening activities can have significant effects on people’s mental and physical state, with the specific impacts depending on the cognitive demands of the task.

Link

Kim, Y., & Park, S. (2023). Effects of cognitive demand levels for various horticultural activities on psychophysical responses in adults. HortScience, 58(11), 1450-1458.

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