Horticultural activity improves postpartum women’s cognitive function: Preliminary evidence from an exploratory pilot study

Figures & data

Figure 1. Study protocol

Table 1. Participant Characteristics (n = 15)

Variables
Age (mean ± SD)	30.4 ± 3.2
Highest educational attainment (%)
High school	26.7
College	26.7
University or more	46.7
Employment status (%)
Full time	33.3
Part time	6.7
Unemployed	60.0
Marital status (%)
Single	6.7
Married	86.7
Divorce	6.7
Number of children (%)
One	53.3
Two	33.3
Three or more	13.3
Smoking (%)	0
Drinking (%)	20.0

SD, standard deviation

Table 2. TMT, DSST, EPDS, and STAI scores between pre- and post-test

	pre-test, mean (SD)	post-test, mean (SD)	t	p value
TMT-A (sec)	53.3 (8.1)	46.9 (9.3)	2.428	0.029
TMT-B (sec)	73.5 (17.2)	57.4 (16.9)	2.896	0.012
DSST	75.4 (20.3)	99.2 (9.5)	−3.819	0.002
EPDS	2.8 (2.7)	1.3 (2.5)	3.659	0.003
STAI
STAI-state	38.9 (7.9)	30.9 (8.4)	5.055	<0.001
STAI-trait	40.7 (10.4)	32.9 (8.2)	4.516	<0.001

SD, standard deviation

Statistical significant (p < 0.05).

TMT, Trail Making test; DSST, Digit Symbol Substitution Test; EPDS, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Figure 2. POMS 2 scores between pre- and post-test

POMS 2, Profile of Mood States 2; AH, anger-hostility; CB, confusion-bewilderment; DD, depression-dejection; FI, fatigue-inertia; TA, tension-anxiety; VA, vigor-activity; F, friendliness; TMD, Total Mood Disturbance.* p < 0.05 ** p < 0.01 *** p < 0.001