Effect of Gardening on Brain Activity

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Quality of Life

In brief

The objective of the research is to test the hypothesis that participating in group-based gardening activities alters brain network activation and function, and that such change occurring in the brain forms the neurobiological basis for much of the nonphysical activity portion of the therapeutic benefits of gardening and horticultural therapy. Assessment of the effects of the gardening activities on the experimental population will take two approaches, the first being the use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to assess the regions of the brain that may become activated as a consequence of experiencing the cumulative gardening activities and associated stimuli. The allied approach will employ widely used and well-established self-reported assessment instruments that will capture information about the health and well-being that will then provide a psychometrically-based before and after physical and health summary of the participants in the control group and those engaged in the gardening activities.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02225847

Run by

University of Florida

People needed

24

Starts

2014-09-01

Expected to finish

2015-05-01

Last updated by the study team

2019-05-23

Who can join

Age: 26 and older, up to 49. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Premenopausal women
• 26 - 49 years of age
• Not pregnant
• Non-gardener
• Non-smoker
• Good Health
• Able to participate in all aspects of the study, including working with plants.

You may not qualify if…

• Uncomfortable in close spaces (claustrophobia)
• Allergies to plants
• Allergies to plant parts like pollen
• Allergies to plant-based foods
• No additions to alcohol or to recreational drugs or prescription medications
• Not suffering from recurring pain, and
• No diseases, disorders or disabilities that affect daily life.

Where it is running

• Fifield Hall — Gainesville, Florida, United States
• McKnight Brain Institute — Gainesville, Florida, United States
• Wilmot Greenhouse — Gainesville, Florida, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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