Study Finds Indoor Hydroponic Gardening Benefits Cancer Patients' Mental Health

Cancer diagnoses often lead to significant physical and emotional challenges, with about one in four cancer patients in the U.S. experiencing depression. This poor mental health can complicate recovery, leading to unexpected treatment interruptions, a higher risk of cancer recurrence, and lower survival rates. Emotional and cognitive factors also affect pain perception for these patients.

To help address these issues, medical professionals sometimes recommend non-clinical activities, known as social prescribing, to support patient well-being. Traditional outdoor gardening has been shown to provide psychological relief, reduce stress, promote healthier eating, offer moderate physical activity, and create a connection with nature. However, outdoor gardening can be inaccessible due to the need for a yard, stamina, and suitable weather, especially for those living in urban settings or undergoing taxing treatments.

In light of this, the research team, led by Taehyun Roh from Texas A&M University and in collaboration with Houston Methodist Hospital, explored an indoor alternative using hydroponics. This method allows plants to be grown in water rather than soil, conveniently enabling year-round cultivation in homes while avoiding soil-related diseases.

The study involved 36 adult cancer patients from a specialized outpatient infusion therapy center in Houston. Participants had various cancer types and had undergone at least one cycle of chemotherapy. Each participant managed their own hydroponic system, the AeroGarden, which included everything needed to grow heirloom salad greens.

For eight weeks, patients were responsible for planting seeds, monitoring water levels, and harvesting greens at home. The researchers provided instructional materials to assist in growing the plants effectively.

Surveys were conducted at the study's start, at four weeks, and at the end of the eight-week period. These questionnaires assessed changes in mental well-being, psychological distress, and quality of life, including how well patients managed physical activities and emotions, and their pain levels and dietary habits.

Results showed that participants consistently improved their mental health throughout the intervention. Their scores for overall mental well-being rose, while self-reported depression symptoms declined. Additionally, patients reported enhancements in daily life quality, including better emotional and social functioning, and a decrease in appetite loss.

Dietary changes were also observed, with patients increasing their consumption of fruits and leafy greens by the study's conclusion, suggesting a potential for long-term improvements in eating habits.

However, some measures, including pain, anxiety, and stress levels, did not show significant changes. The researchers highlighted psychological mechanisms, such as a sense of responsibility and achievement from gardening, as potential benefits of therapeutic horticulture.

Due to the study's design, which lacked a separate control group, self-selection bias may have influenced results. Participants' inherent interest in gardening could affect their outcomes. The eight-week duration also limits insights into long-term effects, necessitating further research with larger samples and longer follow-up periods to assess the sustainability of the findings.

The study, titled “Indoor hydroponic vegetable gardening to improve mental health and quality of life in cancer patients: a pilot study,” was co-authored by Taehyun Roh, Laura Ashley Verzwyvelt, Anisha Aggarwal, Raj Satkunasivam, Nishat Tasnim Hasan, Nusrat Fahmida Trisha, and Charles Hall.