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Using various medical and psychological measurements, this study performed a randomized clinical trial with surgical patients to evaluate if plants in hospital rooms have therapeutic influences. Ninety patients recovering from an appendectomy were randomly assigned to hospital rooms with or without plants. Patients in the plant treatment room viewed eight species of foliage and flowering plants during their postoperative recovery periods. Data collected for each patient included length of hospitalization, analgesics used for postoperative pain control, vital signs, ratings of pain intensity, pain distress, anxiety, and fatigue, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y-1, the Environmental Assessment Scale, and the Patient's Room Satisfaction Questionnaire. Patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers had significantly fewer intakes of postoperative analgesics, more positive physiological responses evidenced by lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate, lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue, and more positive feelings and higher satisfaction about their rooms when compared with patients in the control group. 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.
Appendectomy is an acute surgery characterized by localized abdominal pain requiring a relatively short hospitalization of up to 5 d. This is a comparatively standardized medical procedure with similar postoperative management in the uncomplicated cases. Appendectomy surgery, however, may create multiple stressors to patients, including pain and physical discomfort, fear of medical procedures, isolation from family and friends, and lack of familiarity with medical personnel, hospital equipment, and environment. Numerous studies suggest that when patients have greater stress associated with surgery, they typically experience more severe postoperative pain and a slower and more complicated postoperative recovery (Cohen and Williamson, 1991; Johnston, 1988; Johnston and Wallace, 1990). Some of the postoperative problems related to stress can be mediated through intakes of anesthetics and analgesics. However, these drugs have side effects that can produce postoperative physiological problems (e.g., vomiting, headaches, nausea, and pain at the incision site), drug dependency, and even be fatal if not properly administered (Abbott and Abbott, 1995; Coniam and Diamond, 1994). Therefore, it would be useful to develop nonpharmacologic approaches to improving the patient experiences with pain and stress during hospitalization.
To promote the speed of postoperative recovery and to improve the quality of life during hospitalizations, it is important to provide patients with not only the best treatment possible, but also to remove such sources of stress and to counter them with positive distractions that have soothing and stress-reducing effects. Viewing nature or having plants present has been considered an effective positive distraction that may provide ample involuntary attention, increase positive feelings, block or reduce worrisome thoughts, and promote restoration from stress (Ulrich, 1992). Researchers who have assessed the impact of nature/plants on human health have suggested that people-plant interactions provide physiological stress reduction (Chang and Chen, 2005; Coleman and Mattson, 1995; Lohr et al., 1996; Ulrich et al., 1991; Verderber and Reuman, 1987). This relaxation occurs remarkably quickly, almost within minutes (Ulrich and Simons, 1986). People in a natural/plant environment not only showed faster physical recovery from stress, but also improved psychological (Kaplan, 2001; Kaplan and Kaplan, 1995; Ulrich, 1979), emotional (Adachi et al., 2000; Ulrich, 1981; Ulrich et al., 1991), and cognitive health (Cimprich, 1993; Hartig et al., 1991; Tennessen and Cimprich, 1995). In addition, viewing nature/plants is linked to positive health outcomes of individuals, such as in pain reduction, less need for analgesics, and a quicker recovery from surgery (Diette et al., 2003; Lohr and Pearson-Mims, 2000; Park et al., 2004; Ulrich, 1984).
Clinical trials studying the health benefits of viewing indoor plants on stress and recovery of surgical patients within a hospital setting do not exist. This investigation used various medical and psychological measurements to determine if plants in hospital rooms had therapeutic influences on the health outcomes of appendectomy patients.
The sample consisted exclusively of patients who had undergone appendectomy surgery. Ninety patients (52 males and 38 females, mean age = 37.6 ± 9.41 years, ranging from 21 to 60 years) were studied from July 2005 to Jan. 2006 in a 250-bed suburban hospital in Korea. Human research protocols for this study were approved by the institution review boards of both the academic and hospital setting. Patients were informed that their medical history and current medical records would be reviewed and each signed an informed consent form. Patients were randomly assigned to control or plant rooms (Fig. 1) as they became available. Ten rooms, which were located on the same floor and the same side of the building, were identical except for the presence or absence of plants. Patient views from the hospital windows were only of the sky with no presence of trees or other buildings. Patients in the plant group were allowed to view plants during their recovery periods after surgery until discharge. Excluded from the study were 65 patients who were younger than 19 years or older than 60 years, and those who reported chronic (e.g., diabetes or high blood pressure) or current acute (e.g., upper respiratory infection) health problems, a history of psychiatric problems (e.g., depression or anxiety), or uncorrected hearing or visual impairments. All were in good health before diagnosis of surgical treatment.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 18, 4; 10.21273/HORTTECH.18.4.563
Medical and psychological data were collected from each patient. This included length of hospitalization, analgesics used for postoperative pain control, vital signs, ratings of pain intensity, pain distress, anxiety and fatigue (PPAF), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y-1 (STAI-Y1), Environmental Assessment Scale (EAS), and the Patient's Room Satisfaction Questionnaire (PRSQ).
Outcome data of length of hospitalization, postoperative analgesic intakes, and vital signs were extracted from patient charts. Length of hospitalization was defined as days from surgery to discharge. Postoperative analgesics were classified as weak, moderate, or strong on the basis of the drug and amount, and whether it was narcotic or not. The weak category was dominated by small amounts of diclofenac sodium injections up to 75 mg·d−1, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and the moderate category included large amounts of diclofenac sodium injections up to 150 mg·d−1. In the strong category, pethidine hydrochloride injections (narcotic analgesics) were used. Vital signs recorded were systolic and diastolic blood pressures (millimeters of mercury), body temperature (°C), heart rate (beats per minute), and respiratory rates (breaths per minute). Vital signs were defined as the average of three readings taken per day. All measurements were taken using standard, noninvasive technology and were recorded on patient charts.
Levels of the PPAF were measured using a 101-point numerical rating scale (NRS-101). The validity of the NRS-101 and its sensitivity to treatment effects have been well documented (Jensen and Karoly, 1992; Jensen et al., 1986). The NRS-101 (rating from 1 to 100) is reported to have several advantages over the other rating scales and to be more sensitive to treatment effect than the NRS-11 (rating from 1 to 10) due to a large number of response categories (Jensen et al., 1986).
The STAI-Y (Spielberger, 1983) is comprised of a self-report measurement of anxiety and has been used extensively in research and clinical practice. The STAI consists of two scales. The STAI-Y1 scale includes 20 statements intended to measure transitory feelings of tension, nervousness, apprehension, and worry, whereas the STAI-Y2 section evaluates the stable personality trait of anxiety proneness. This study used the STAI-Y1 because it was designed to measure changes in anxiety resulting from situational stress. Psychometric properties of the STAI-Y and studies supporting its construct validity are presented in the STAI-Y manual (Spielberger, 1983).
To measure patients' feelings in response to their hospital rooms, the modified EAS was used (Rohles and Milliken, 1981). The EAS consists of 13 adjective pair semantic differential scales. The EAS has been used in previous studies to evaluate the affective characteristics of the environment and various features it contains (Laviana, 1985; Laviana et al., 1983).
To assess patient satisfaction with the hospital room, patients were asked to complete the PRSQ, which indicated three positive and three negative qualities of their room environments. Patients were further asked their willingness to return to their room in any future hospitalization. Space was provided so that patients could add comments.
A meeting with the hospital doctors and nurses was held before the beginning of the research. Research objectives were explained that included their need to treat patients similarly. In addition, nurses were assigned to help patients in the control and plant rooms and were urged not to be influenced by the content of the rooms. After obtaining the informed consent agreement from the patients and after health screening, measurements of the PPAF, STAI-Y1, and EAS were administered in the hospital room. For the plant treatment, 12 potted foliage and flowering plants with sterile, soilless potting mix were placed in the hospital room after patients left the room for surgery. Plants selected for the hospital rooms were dendrobium (Dendrobium phalaenopsis), peace lily (Spathiphyllum ‘Starlight’), golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum), kentia palm (Howea forsteriana), arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum ‘Albolineatum’), cretan brake fern (Pteris cretica ‘Albolineata’), variegated vinca (Vinca minor ‘Illumination’), and yellow star jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Ougonnishiki’). Single plants of four species were arranged with two plants each of dendrobium, peace lily, golden pothos, and kentia palm. Hospital rooms had large windows with natural sunlight during the daytime unless the shades were drawn. From July through December, although the length of the natural photoperiod declined, the photoperiod was similar throughout the study with interior room lighting. Consistent temperature and humidity for patient comfort level were similar to those required by the plants selected. Plant selection was based on space consideration, sunlight accessibility, requirements of temperature and humidity, low maintenance, and visual appeal with various colors, sizes, patterns, and shapes. Plants were added or removed as needed to accomplish each treatment. The combinations of plants used in each room were identical. Plants were grown in self-watering containers, and patients were not disturbed by plant maintenance during hospitalizations. Patients were not told of the study objectives or how to interact with the plants. Control rooms contained no plant materials. During the first 3 days after surgery, the PPAF and STAI-Y1 were administered at midmorning. The second trial of the EAS and the initial trial of the PRSQ were administered on the last day of hospitalizations. All measurements were taken by the researcher except demographics, analgesic intake, and vital signs, which were recorded by medical staff.
Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) (Littell et al., 2006) using SAS PROC GLM (version 8.0; SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was completed for data of hospitalization and the EAS to test for differences between groups. Age was used as the covariate for ANCOVA. A repeated-measures ANCOVA (Littell et al., 2006) using SAS PROC MIXED was done for data of vital signs, the PPAF, and the STAI-Y1 to test for differences between groups at each day of hospitalization and to compare trends for groups over postoperative recovery periods. Because of the differences in age and preoperative score, the patient's age and preoperative score were used as the covariates for a repeated-measures ANCOVA. The exact chi-square test (Higgins, 2004) using SAS PROC FREQ was performed for analgesic intake to test for differences between groups at each day of postoperative recovery periods. Alpha level was set at 0.05.
The mean length of hospitalizations for the plant group was 4.64 d and was not significantly different from that of the control group at 4.88 d. Analgesic intake (Fig. 2) was significantly different for the plant group compared with the control group at the third day after surgery (P = 0.041). Patients exposed to plants were less frequently given weak and moderate analgesics compared with patients in the control group.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 18, 4; 10.21273/HORTTECH.18.4.563
A repeated-measures ANCOVA performed for systolic blood pressure and heart rate data demonstrated a significant day-by-group interaction (P = 0.047, P = 0.048, respectively). At the day of surgery and the first day after surgery, there were significant differences in systolic blood pressure (P = 0.04, P = 0.04, respectively) and heart rate (P = 0.01, P = 0.03, respectively), which were significantly lower with the plant group compared with the control group (Fig. 3). No significant day-by-group interactions and no significant group differences were noted regarding diastolic blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate during the recovery periods.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 18, 4; 10.21273/HORTTECH.18.4.563
As shown in Table 1, the means are presented for preoperative and postoperative ratings of the PPAF and the STAI-Y1. Among the PPAF outcomes, significant day-by-group interactions were found for self-rated pain intensity, pain distress, and fatigue (P = 0.03, P = 0.047, P = 0.04, respectively). Levels of pain intensity, pain distress, and fatigue remarkably decreased for most patients in both groups through the recovery periods. Self-rated pain intensity and pain distress were significantly lower for those patients exposed to plants compared with no plants on the third day after surgery (P = 0.01, P = 0.01, respectively). The dynamic changes of pain distress were parallel with that of pain intensity and were consistently lower than the pain intensity ratings. Comparing plant group patients to control group patients, self-rated fatigue was significantly lower on the third day after surgery (P = 0.03). Levels of anxiety and the STAI-Y1 were highest before surgery and were remarkably decreased for most patients in both groups during the recovery periods. No significant day-by-group interactions were reported, and significant group differences were found for self-rated anxiety and the STAI-Y1. Patients in the plant group were characterized by significantly lower levels of anxiety and tension than patients in the control group during the recovery periods (P = 0.01, P = 0.02, respectively).
Significant differences between the EAS responses of the two groups were found for the seven items (Table 2). The EAS responses to plants indicated that patients during the recovery periods felt their rooms more satisfying, relaxing, comfortable, colorful, pleasant smelling, calming, and attractive compared with those in the control rooms.
Results of the PRSQ showed the majority of patients in the plant group indicated that plants were the most positive qualities of their rooms (93%), whereas patients in the control group reported watching television as the most favorable aspect of their rooms (91%). The next categories of positive qualities regarding the hospital room included appropriate temperature (77%), television (66%), and sunshine (44%) for the plant group, whereas appropriate temperature (71%), sunshine (44%), and quietness (11%) were highly favored for the control group. Regarding negative qualities of hospital room, patients in the control and plant groups had similar negative comments concerning toilet facilities, insufficient space, and the hospital environments. Patients were further asked about their willingness to return to their room in any future hospitalization. Ninety-one percent of patients in the plant group responded positively, whereas 71% of patients in the control group reported a willingness to return.
Voluntary comments of patients were collected from nurses and from the PRSQ. Many patients in the plant group stated that plants helped them relax or feel less anxious. Plants were associated with positive memories, and some patients believed that plants had diminished their pain. Furthermore, the presence of plants in the hospital room promoted a positive image of the hospital as a healing environment and a place designed to be sensitive to patient needs. As patients recovered from surgery and regained mobility, nursing and medical staff reported increased interaction with plants. This included watering plants, removing dead leaves, touching them, and moving them for a better view or close to window for better sunlight.
Unlike cut flowers, potted foliage and flowering plants are likely to remain for long periods of time. During the 7 months of the study period, seven species of plants maintained their qualities, and only the dendrobium needed to be replaced due to flower deterioration.
A number of studies have shown that indoor plants make air healthier and provide an optimum indoor environment. The presence of plants reduced sick-building syndrome by removing pollutants (Darlington et al., 2001; Nishida et al., 1991; Wolverton et al., 1989; Wood et al., 2002), increased relative humidity up to human comfort level (Lohr, 1992; Wolverton and Wolverton, 1993), and improved indoor air quality by reducing the quantity of mold spores and airborne microorganisms (Wolverton and Wolverton, 1993).
Previous research (Park et al., 2004) in a simulated hospital room indicated that pain sensitivity and perception were significantly decreased when foliage and flowering plants were present compared with just foliage or a room without any plants or flowers. A study of patients recovering from abdominal surgery found that individuals had shorter hospital stays, fewer negative comments in nurses' notes, and fewer intakes of analgesics if their bedside windows overlooked trees rather than a brick wall (Ulrich, 1984). This study extends earlier studies documenting the health benefits of passively viewing plants.
The findings of this study confirmed that introducing plants and flowers into a hospital room during the recovery period had a positive influence linking directly to health outcomes of surgical patients. Patients exposed to plants had significantly less need for analgesics, enhanced physiological responses, lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue, and more positive feelings and higher satisfaction about their hospital rooms compared with patients without plants.
Colorful fresh cut flowers and blooming or green plants could be a complementary medicine for patients. If properly maintained, indoor plants can provide a great opportunity for patients to experience nature in all seasons when outdoor scenery cannot provide this benefit. Furthermore, they can provide meaningful therapeutic contact especially for patients spending much of their time indoors while recovering from painful surgery.
Findings from this study may not be applied to the immediate environments of severely immunocompromised and intensive care unit patients. However, this study provides strong evidence that contact with plants is directly beneficial to patients' health. This nonpharmacological complementary approach is medically beneficial and clearly cost effective not only to patients, but also to health insurance companies by reducing the costs of hospitalization and analgesic consumption. Further research will support hospital administrator and medical doctor decisions to use plants as a healing modality.
Contributor Notes
We thank Hae-Chang Cho and the medical staff for valuable assistance with this project, and James Higgins at Kansas State University for statistical advice.
Corresponding author. E-mail: hyunipark@gmail.com.
