Effects of horticultural therapy on mood and heart rate in patients participating in an inpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program

Summary: Following a session of horticultural therapy, inpatient cardiac rehabilitation subjects demonstrated a significant increase in the "Profile of Mood State" score and a reduced heart rate. These data indicate that horticultural therapy can improve mood and reduce stress and support its role as an effective component of cardiac rehabilitation.

Personal Background: A particularly formative experience I had was working with Matthew Wichrowski, clinical associate professor and horticultural therapist at NYU Langone. His research (like this ) demonstrates improvements in mood and stress reduction through horticultural therapy. Working alongside him and reading his work has strongly shaped my understanding of the field and its potential impact.