Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis

Masashi Soga, Kevin J Gaston, Yuichi Yamaura, Masashi Soga, Kevin J Gaston, Yuichi Yamaura

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that gardening provides substantial human health benefits. However, no formal statistical assessment has been conducted to test this assertion. Here, we present the results of a meta-analysis of research examining the effects of gardening, including horticultural therapy, on health. We performed a literature search to collect studies that compared health outcomes in control (before participating in gardening or non-gardeners) and treatment groups (after participating in gardening or gardeners) in January 2016. The mean difference in health outcomes between the two groups was calculated for each study, and then the weighted effect size determined both across all and sets of subgroup studies. Twenty-two case studies (published after 2001) were included in the meta-analysis, which comprised 76 comparisons between control and treatment groups. Most studies came from the United States, followed by Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Studies reported a wide range of health outcomes, such as reductions in depression, anxiety, and body mass index, as well as increases in life satisfaction, quality of life, and sense of community. Meta-analytic estimates showed a significant positive effect of gardening on the health outcomes both for all and sets of subgroup studies, whilst effect sizes differed among eight subgroups. Although Egger's test indicated the presence of publication bias, significant positive effects of gardening remained after adjusting for this using trim and fill analysis. This study has provided robust evidence for the positive effects of gardening on health. A regular dose of gardening can improve public health.

Keywords: Domestic gardens; Ecosystem services; Green exercise; Green infrastructure; Horticulture; Nature experiences; Preventive healthcare; Public health; Urban greenspace; Wellbeing.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of literature search and study selection process.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Standardized mean differences in the health outcomes between the control and treatment groups for 76 comparisons. Positive values indicate improved health outcomes. Dotted and solid lines indicate the effect size of 0 and 95% CI, respectively. Positive affect means the extent to which one is experiencing positive mood states, such as joy, cheerfulness, and enthusiasm.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A funnel plot to assess potential publication bias. Measures of effect size (standardized mean differences) and study precision (the inverse of standard error) are shown on the x- and y-axes, respectively. The filled and open circles represent observed data (76 comparisons) and data added (16 studies) by the trim-and-fill analysis (see the main text). Blue and black centerlines indicate the meta-analytical mean before (see Fig. 2) and after adding these 16 data points to the original 76 (i.e. adjusted effect size).

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