Measuring Range of Motion and Muscle Activation of Flower Arrangement Tasks and Application for Improving Upper Limb Function

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to measure the range of motion for joints and muscle activation of upper limb for flower arrangement tasks for physical rehabilitation and to test horticultural therapy programs using flower arrangement tasks for improving upper limb function of the patients with stroke. Major flower arrangement tasks were classified with eight tasks (cutting 1, thick stem; cutting 2, thin stem; fixing 1, long stem; fixing 2, short stem; rolling a leaf; bending 1, thick stem; bending 2, thin stem; and winding, using a wire) based on the occupational analysis. When eight male university students (mean age 24.1 ± 2.5 years) conducted the eight flower arrangement tasks, range of motion for joints and muscle activation of upper limb were measured by a 3D motion analyzer and electromyography, respectively. Based on the results of the range of motion and muscle activation of upper limb, horticultural therapy programs using flower arrangement tasks (total 33 sessions) for improving upper limb function of the patients with stroke was conducted at a rehabilitation hospital, Seoul, South Korea and then the range of motion, grip strength, and upper limb function of the patients were tested. Among the eight flower arrangement tasks, cutting 1, winding, and bending 1 induced the highest value for the range of motion in joints of shoulder, elbow, and wrist, respectively (P < 0.001). In terms of muscle activation, eight flower arrangement tasks performed in this study showed various patterns of muscle activation and several muscles were simultaneously used for each task (P < 0.001). In addition, thickness and length of the materials used in a task had a prominent effect on the range of motion for joints and muscle activation of upper limb (P < 0.001). The stroke patients had positive effects for their range of motion of upper limb (shoulder, forearm, and elbow), grip strength, and overall upper limb function through the horticultural therapy program. Thus, this study suggested that flower arrangement tasks would be a potential horticultural activity for physical rehabilitation program. It would be interesting to apply a customized horticultural therapy program using flower arrangement tasks according to the symptoms of patient for physical rehabilitation.

Electromyographic Analysis of Upper Limb and Hand Muscles during Horticultural Activity Motions

“…However, there was no significant difference for EMG data of the upper limb and hand muscles tested except upper trapezius for the horticultural activities in this study (data not shown). Lee et al (2012) conducted an EMG analysis for the motions of flower arrangement such as cutting, bending, fixing, and winding to develop a horticultural therapy program for rehabilitation by using flower arrangement movements. Various horticultural activities have been also applied as a treatment in horticultural therapy for physical rehabilitation (Jung, 2005;Kim, 2001), but there is not enough supportive data for the mechanisms on how the various horticultural activities affect the human physical body.…”

“…EMG has been used to investigate muscular activity, and the signals can be analyzed to detect medical abnormalities and activation level, or to analyze the biomechanics of human or animal movement (Bolgla and Uhl, 2007;De Luca, 1997). In a previous study, muscle activation for the motions of flower arrangements such as cutting, bending, and winding were analyzed by EMG (Lee et al, 2012). Although horticultural activities have been used for improving physical rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities (Jung, 2005;Kim, 2001), there is little EMG information on various horticultural activities that could potentially be used to maximize the positive effects of therapy.…”

Electromyographic Analysis of Upper and Lower Limb Muscles during Gardening Tasks

“…Furthermore, Lee et al (2012) investigated muscle activation and range of motion in such motions as cutting, bending, winding, and fixing in flower arrangement tasks by using EMG, and then developed a horticultural therapy program for improving range of motion, grip strength, and overall upper limb function of stroke patients. As a result, the horticultural therapy program using flower arrangement tasks based on EMG and range of motion data showed potential as a physical rehabilitation treatment.…”

“…EMG analysis of flower arranging, including cutting, bending, fixing, and winding, also was conducted to develop a horticultural therapy program for physical rehabilitation and applied to stroke patients (Lee et al, 2012). …”

Floral Design Courses to Build Self-Esteem in Children Enrolled in the Community Child Care Center for Low-Income Families: Focused on the Accreditation Process of the Junior Florist Certification

“…Many studies proved that flower arrangement is helpful in not only improving cognitive skills but also maintaining physical balance, utilizing and improving human creativity and expressivity, and bringing emotional development. It is also effective in bringing positive emotional changes that improve emotions like compulsion, depression, anxiety, paranoia and anger, while also promoting self-esteem (Lee et al, 1998;Lee et al, 2012;Son and Lee, 1997;Son et al, 2013;Tak, 2004). Furthermore, obtaining certification makes one feel proud and highly confident, increases self-efficacy and is also significantly correlated to major and career (Song, 2012;Park, 2013), while also having a positive effect on learning motivation (Jang, 2012).…”