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Benefits of Gardening Activities for Cognitive Function According to Measurement of Brain Nerve Growth Factor Levels

Author

Listed:
  • Sin-Ae Park

    (Department of Environmental Health Science, Sanghuh College of Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • A-Young Lee

    (Department of Environmental Health Science, Sanghuh College of Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • Hee-Geun Park

    (Sport Science Center, Daejeon 35021, Korea)

  • Wang-Lok Lee

    (Department of Sport Science, Chugnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of gardening activities in senior individuals on brain nerve growth factors related to cognitive function. Forty-one senior individuals (age 76.6 ± 6.0 years) were recruited from the local community in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea. A 20-min low-to-moderate intensity gardening activity intervention, making a vegetable garden, was performed by the subjects in a garden plot located on the Konkuk University (Seoul, South Korea) campus. The gardening involved six activities including cleaning a garden plot, digging, fertilizing, raking, planting/transplanting, and watering. To determine the effects of the gardening activities on brain nerve growth factors related to memory, blood samples were drawn twice from each subject before and after the gardening activity by professional nurses. The levels of brain nerve growth factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), were analyzed. Levels of BDNF and PDGF were significantly increased after the gardening activity. This study revealed a potential benefit of gardening activities for cognitive function in senior individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Sin-Ae Park & A-Young Lee & Hee-Geun Park & Wang-Lok Lee, 2019. "Benefits of Gardening Activities for Cognitive Function According to Measurement of Brain Nerve Growth Factor Levels," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:5:p:760-:d:210462
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sin-Ae Park & Su Young Son & A-Young Lee & Hee-Geun Park & Wang-Lok Lee & Choong Hwan Lee, 2020. "Metabolite Profiling Revealed That a Gardening Activity Program Improves Cognitive Ability Correlated with BDNF Levels and Serotonin Metabolism in the Elderly," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Hui-Ying Chu & Hui-Shan Chan & Mei-Fang Chen, 2021. "Effects of Horticultural Activities on Attitudes toward Aging, Sense of Hope and Hand–Eye Coordination in Older Adults in Residential Care Facilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-28, June.
    3. Mário Santos & Helena Moreira & João Alexandre Cabral & Ronaldo Gabriel & Andreia Teixeira & Rita Bastos & Alfredo Aires, 2022. "Contribution of Home Gardens to Sustainable Development: Perspectives from A Supported Opinion Essay," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-26, October.
    4. Hyo-Jung Son & Dae-Sik Kim & Sin-Ae Park, 2022. "Horticultural Therapy for Improving the Work Performance and Interpersonal Relationships of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, October.
    5. Dahlia Stott & DeAndra Forde & Chetan Sharma & Jonathan M. Deutsch & Michael Bruneau & Jennifer A. Nasser & Mara Z. Vitolins & Brandy-Joe Milliron, 2024. "Interactions with Nature, Good for the Mind and Body: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-26, March.
    6. Phoebe R. Maund & Katherine N. Irvine & Jonathan Reeves & Emily Strong & Ruth Cromie & Martin Dallimer & Zoe G. Davies, 2019. "Wetlands for Wellbeing: Piloting a Nature-Based Health Intervention for the Management of Anxiety and Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-17, November.

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