Effects of Planting on the Prefrontal Electroencephalogram Activity of University Students

Abstract

Background and objective: This study was conducted from June 1 to August 30, 2021 with 33 students at Daegu Catholic University to investigate the effect of planting on the theta, alpha, beta, and gamma waves of the prefrontal cortex.Methods: For the experiment, the subjects wore electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors and proceeded through the following three steps: 1) preparation stage: looking at the wall (2 min), 2) work stage: planting plants (5 min), and 3) appreciation stage: looking at and appreciating the plants they planted (3 min).Results: As a result of analyzing the total relative values of the preparation, work, and appreciation stages in the raw data (excluding the delta wave, which increases during sleep), the alpha wave increased in the work stage of planting activity (Left: p = .000, Right: p = .000). Alpha waves are brain waves that are activated in states of relaxation, rest, and euphoria. In male students, alpha waves (Left: p = .001, Right: p = .001) were activated in the work stage. In female students, there was a significant difference in all EEG activity between the stages. Theta wave (Left: p = .046, Right: p = .029) was most activated in the appreciation stage, and the alpha wave (Left: p = .000, Right: p = .000) was most activated in the work stage. Beta waves (Left: p = .016, Right: p = .013) and gamma waves (Left: p = .015, Right: p = .011) were found to be inactivated in the work stage.Conclusion: The study results facilitated the investigation of planting effectiveness according to the type of activity by measuring the EEG for each activity stage.