Plants as post-operative therapy described in HortTechnology October 2008 and Biology News Net, 29 December 2008. Seong-Hyun Park and Richard H. Mattson, from the Department of Horticulture, Recreation and Forestry at Kansas State University, have studied the effect of having plants in the hospital rooms of patients recovering from surgery. The study involved 90 patients who all had the same operation. They were randomly assigned to a room containing pots of eight foliage and flowering plants, or to a room with no plants. Potted plants were chosen, rather than cut flowers because they last longer. Researchers them compared rates of recovery, how much pain relief they needed, their vital signs and perception of pain, stress, fatigue and anxiety. Patients were also asked to rate their satisfaction with their room.
Patients with plants in their rooms did better on all aspects, requiring less pain relieving medication, feeling less stress and having better physiological signs (blood pressure, heart rate, etc). They also reported a greater sense of satisfaction with their room, and 91 per cent of them said the plants were the best aspect of their room. The researchers concluded: “Findings of this research suggested that plants in a hospital environment could be noninvasive, inexpensive, and an effective complementary medicine for patients recovering from abdominal surgery.”
Editorial Comment: This study is a good reminder that humans were created to live in a garden that was described as being pleasing to the eye and good for food. (Genesis 2:9) After God placed the first human beings in this beautiful and fruitful environment He declared all His creation to be very good. We now live in a world where people and the environment have been severely corrupted, but deep down we all know what is good and respond to it. It’s also a good reminder for husbands to take their wives flowers after they have bought her a vase to put them in. (Ref. beauty, flora, medicine)
Evidence News 4 February 2009