2020 Volume 60 Issue 7 Pages 617-625
Objectives : The effects resulting from arranging and viewing a flower on autonomic nervous functions, the hardness of shoulder muscles, and psychological healing were investigated
Subjects : Adults (N=51, 17 men and 34 women, Mean age 56.0 years, SD=15.7).
Methods : The participants randomly took part in three experiments. In Experiment 1, the participants put their favorite flower in a vase such that it satisfied them, and viewed the composition for five minutes. In Experiment 2, participants viewed the composition of a flower put in a vase by other person, for five minutes. In Experiment 3, the participants viewed pictures for five minutes. The EEGs were measured when participants viewed flowers under the three experimental conditions and RR interval, HF components, and LF/HF components were analyzed. The hardness of shoulder muscles was measured before and after each experiment using a muscle hardness meter. A questionnaire on healing, which was developed by Nihon University College of Arts was used to assess the degree of healing after each experiment.
Results : The muscle hardness decreased significantly in Experiment 1 compared to Experiment 2 (Left shoulder : p=0.015 Right shoulder : p=0.002) and Experiment 3 (Left shoulder : p=0.019, Right shoulder : N. S.). Moreover, the HF component in Experiment 1 increased significantly compared to Experiment 3 (p<0.001). Furthermore, the total Healing Questionnaire score in Experiment 1 increased significantly compared to Experiment 3 (p<0.001).
Conclusion : Parasympathetic nervous activity was considered to be increased, the muscles of the shoulder relaxed, and participants experienced psychological healing from arranging a flower to satisfy themselves and viewing the composition.
