Apparatus and method for evaluating psychophysiological response to horticultural activity

Abstract

Disclosed are an apparatus and method for evaluating a psychophysiological response to a horticultural activity. The method for evaluating a psychophysiological response to a horticultural activity according to an embodiment of the present application may comprise the steps of: (a) obtaining horticultural activity design information including information on target microorganisms introduced into soil used for a horticultural activity performed by a subject; (b) collecting biometric data on the subject performing the horticultural activity; and (c) generating evaluation information on a psychophysiological response of the subject corresponding to the horticultural activity design information through analysis of the biometric data.

Description

Device and method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities

[0001] This paper relates to devices and methods for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities. For example, this paper relates to a technique for evaluating the psychophysiological effects associated with horticultural activities using soil inoculated with Streptomyces rimosus.

[0002] Gardening is known to provide various psychophysiological benefits. Stress reduction is one of the most prominent, manifested by reduced cortisol levels and improved heart rate variability. It also significantly improves mood, promoting the release of hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which has been observed to reduce depressive symptoms. Furthermore, it has been shown to have a positive effect on cognitive function, increasing concentration and, particularly, improving short-term memory in dementia patients.

[0003] Gardening also provides multisensory stimulation, activating different areas of the brain, improving overall well-being through the combination of physical activity and mental focus, and the exposure to natural light from outdoor gardening can stimulate melatonin production and regulate circadian rhythms, potentially improving sleep quality.

[0004] These diverse effects are the result of a complex interplay of various elements of horticultural activities, including physical activity, contact with nature, a sense of accomplishment, and social interaction. Horticultural activities are recognized as an effective and integrated method for promoting overall mental and physiological well-being, and are increasingly being utilized in various therapeutic and wellness programs.

[0005] Meanwhile, the effect of soil microorganisms used in horticultural activities on the mental health of participants in horticultural activities is not precisely known, and thus, there is a growing need to objectively evaluate the effects of horticultural activities utilizing soil microorganisms in order to manage mood disorders such as depression through horticultural activities.

[0006] The technology underlying this application is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-2398511.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and to provide a device and method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities, which can objectively derive the expected mental health improvement effect according to the subject's participation in horticultural activities by evaluating the psychophysiological effects according to horticultural activities using soil inoculated with target microorganisms.

[0008] However, the technical tasks to be achieved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the technical tasks described above, and other technical tasks may exist.

[0009] As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical task, a method for evaluating a psychophysiological response to a horticultural activity according to one embodiment of the present invention may include (a) a step of obtaining horticultural activity design information including information on a target microorganism inoculated into soil used for horticultural activity performed by a subject, (b) a step of collecting bio-data of the subject performing the horticultural activity, and (c) a step of generating evaluation information on a psychophysiological response of the subject corresponding to the horticultural activity design information through analysis of the bio-data.

[0010] In addition, the step (b) can collect metabolite data obtained using brain wave data of the subject and blood samples of the subject.

[0011] In addition, the step (c) may analyze the brain wave response of the subject, including at least one of RT (Relative theta), RA (Relative alpha), RSA (Relative slow alpha), RB (Relative beta), RHB (Relative high beta), RG (Relative gamma), RSMT (Ratio of sensorimotor rhythm mid beta to theta), and RAHB (Ratio of alpha to high beta), using the brain wave data while the subject performs the gardening activity.

[0012] In addition, the step (c) may include a step of performing a pathway analysis to identify a major metabolic pathway according to the horticultural activity using the metabolite data.

[0013] Additionally, the step (c) may include a step of performing a correlation analysis to identify metabolites contributing to the electroencephalographic activity of the subject using the metabolite data.

[0014] In addition, the step (c) above can derive the evaluation information including information on the difference between the psychophysiological response of the experimental group that performed horticultural activities using soil containing the target microorganism among the subjects and the psychophysiological response of the control group that performed horticultural activities using soil not containing the target microorganism among the subjects.

[0015] Additionally, the evaluation information may be generated to include an evaluation result for at least one of the subject's relaxation level, attention level, and stress level.

[0016] Additionally, the target microorganism may include Streptomyces rimosus.

[0017] Meanwhile, a device for evaluating a psychophysiological response to a horticultural activity according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a horticultural activity design unit that obtains horticultural activity design information including information on target microorganisms inoculated into soil used for horticultural activity performed by a subject, a data collection unit that collects biological data of the subject performing the horticultural activity, and a response evaluation unit that generates evaluation information on a psychophysiological response of the subject corresponding to the horticultural activity design information through analysis of the biological data.

[0018] Additionally, the data collection unit can collect brain wave data of the subject and metabolite data obtained using a blood sample of the subject.

[0019] In addition, the response evaluation unit can analyze the brain wave response of the subject, including at least one of RT (Relative theta), RA (Relative alpha), RSA (Relative slow alpha), RB (Relative beta), RHB (Relative high beta), RG (Relative gamma), RSMT (Ratio of sensorimotor rhythm mid beta to theta), and RAHB (Ratio of alpha to high beta), using the brain wave data while the subject performs the gardening activity.

[0020] In addition, the reaction evaluation unit can perform a pathway analysis to identify a major metabolic pathway according to the horticultural activity using the metabolite data.

[0021] In addition, the reaction evaluation unit can perform a correlation analysis to identify metabolites contributing to the subject's electroencephalographic activity using the metabolite data.

[0022] In addition, the reaction evaluation unit can derive the evaluation information including information on the difference between the psychophysiological response of the experimental group of the subjects who performed horticultural activities using soil containing the target microorganism and the psychophysiological response of the control group of the subjects who performed horticultural activities using soil not containing the target microorganism.

[0023] The above-described problem-solving methods are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, additional embodiments may be included in the drawings and detailed description of the invention.

[0024] According to the aforementioned means for solving the problem of the present invention, a device and method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities can be provided, which can objectively derive the expected mental health improvement effect according to the subject's participation in horticultural activities by evaluating the psychophysiological effect according to horticultural activities using soil inoculated with target microorganisms.

[0025] However, the effects that can be obtained from this center are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects may exist.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a horticultural activity analysis system including a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 is a diagram showing major volatile organic compounds produced by Streptomyces rimosus.

[0028] Figure 3 is a drawing showing an example of an experiment linked to a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention, and exemplarily showing the results of analysis on brain wave data.

[0029] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a list of major metabolic pathways and related metabolites as an experimental example linked to a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the difference in metabolites in the serum of the experimental group and the control group as an experimental example linked to a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 is an experimental example linked to a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a drawing exemplarily showing evaluation information according to horticultural activity performance derived using metabolite data obtained using a subject's blood sample.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an experimental example linked to a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention, and exemplarily showing the results of a path analysis using metabolite data.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an experimental example linked to a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention, and exemplarily showing the results of correlation analysis using metabolite data.

[0034] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 11 is a detailed flowchart of the process for generating assessment information on the subject's psychophysiological responses.

[0037] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail to facilitate easy implementation by those skilled in the art. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity, and similar reference numerals have been used throughout the specification to indicate similar elements.

[0038] Throughout this specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected," but also the case where it is "electrically connected" or "indirectly connected" with another element in between.

[0039] Throughout this specification, when it is said that a member is located “on,” “above,” “upper,” “lower,” “lower” or “lower” another member, this includes not only cases where the member is in contact with the other member, but also cases where another member exists between the two members.

[0040] Throughout this specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0041] This paper relates to devices and methods for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities. For example, this paper relates to a technique for evaluating the psychophysiological effects associated with horticultural activities using soil inoculated with Streptomyces rimosus.

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a horticultural activity analysis system including a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, a horticultural activity analysis system (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a device (100) for evaluating a psychophysiological response to horticultural activity according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as 'evaluation device (100)'), a database (200), and a user terminal (300).

[0044] The evaluation device (100), the database (200), and the user terminal (300) can communicate with each other through a network (20). The network (20) refers to a connection structure that enables information exchange between each node, such as terminals and servers, and examples of such a network (20) include, but are not limited to, a 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) network, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, a 5G network, a WIMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access) network, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a Wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a PAN (Personal Area Network), a wifi network, a Bluetooth network, a satellite broadcasting network, an analog broadcasting network, a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) network, etc.

[0045] The user terminal (300) may be any type of wireless communication device, such as, for example, a smartphone, a smart pad, a tablet PC, a PCS (Personal Communication System), a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), a PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication)-2000, a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)-2000, a W-CDMA (W-Code Division Multiple Access), or a Wibro (Wireless Broadband Internet) terminal.

[0046] In addition, in the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the database (200) may be a server or device for storing information on target microorganisms used in horticultural activities (e.g., soil environment, information on volatile organic compounds generated by microorganisms, information on culture medium, etc.), horticultural activity design information (e.g., activity type, activity time, etc.), and bio-data collected before and after horticultural activities of subjects participating in horticultural activities.

[0047] Below, the specific functions and operations of the evaluation device (100) will be described in detail.

[0048] The evaluation device (100) can obtain horticultural activity design information including information on target microorganisms inoculated into the soil used for horticultural activities performed by the subject.

[0049] For example, the evaluation device (100) can set Streptomyces rimosus as a target microorganism and obtain horticultural activity design information including information on the inoculation environment of Streptomyces rimosus.

[0050] In this regard, Figure 2 is a diagram showing major volatile organic compounds by Streptomyces rimosus.

[0051] Referring to Fig. 2, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile of Streptomyces rimosus was analyzed using HS-SPME-GC-TOF-MS technology, and a total of 23 compounds were identified, which were classified into 10 sesquiterpenes, 3 monoterpenes, 2 organosulfur compounds, 4 hydrocarbons, and 4 other compounds.

[0052] Among these, the compound with the highest relative content was 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB), which is known to be the main cause of earthy or moldy odor, accounting for 37.74%. Next, Geosmin (23.55%), 2-Methyl-2-bornene (16.66%), and 3-Caren-10-al (10.63%) were identified as major compounds, and these compounds were identified through mass spectrometry (MS). These VOCs profiles provide important information related to the psychophysiological and metabolomic changes of the subjects according to horticultural activities using target microorganisms. In particular, major compounds such as 2-MIB and Geosmin are expected to stimulate the olfactory sense of subjects participating in horticultural activities due to their characteristic odors.

[0053] Additionally, the evaluation device (100) can collect biometric data of a subject performing horticultural activities. For example, the evaluation device (100) can collect brain wave data of the subject and metabolite data obtained using a blood sample of the subject.

[0054] In addition, the evaluation device (100) can generate evaluation information on the psychophysiological response of the subject corresponding to the horticultural activity design information through analysis of the collected bio-data.

[0055] Specifically, the evaluation device (100) can derive evaluation information including information on the difference between the psychophysiological response of an experimental group among a plurality of subjects who performed horticultural activities using soil containing target microorganisms and the psychophysiological response of a control group among a plurality of subjects who performed horticultural activities using soil not containing target microorganisms.

[0056] For example, the evaluation device (100) can generate evaluation information including evaluation results for at least one of the degree of relaxation, degree of attention, and degree of stress of each subject.

[0057] More specifically, the evaluation device (100) can analyze the brain wave response of the subject while the subject performs gardening activities by using brain wave data among the collected biometric data.

[0058] In this regard, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the evaluation device (100) can analyze an EEG response associated with at least one of RT (Relative theta), RA (Relative alpha), RSA (Relative slow alpha), RB (Relative beta), RHB (Relative high beta), RG (Relative gamma), RSMT (Ratio of sensorimotor rhythm mid beta to theta), and RAHB (Ratio of alpha to high beta) using EEG data.

[0059] In addition, the evaluation device (100) can perform pathway analysis to identify major metabolic pathways according to horticultural activities using metabolite data.

[0060] Specifically, pathway analysis can be performed to understand the biological meaning of metabolites changed in serum samples after treatment with target microorganisms (e.g., S. rimosus, etc.), and according to one embodiment of the present invention, analysis can be performed using dedicated analysis software (e.g., MetaboAnalyst software, etc.) and can be performed by utilizing the KEGG database as a reference metabolic pathway.

[0061] Meanwhile, when the target microorganism is S. rimosus, the analysis results showed that the major metabolic pathways include the citric acid cycle (TCA cycle), glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, galactose metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, etc. Each of these major pathways was considered important when the Pathway impact value was greater than or equal to the first criterion (e.g., 0.1, etc.) or the -log10(p) value was greater than or equal to the second criterion (e.g., 5, etc.).

[0062] In particular, the levels of metabolites such as succinic acid, glycolic acid, glyceric acid, and acetic acid related to the TCA cycle increased, suggesting an improvement in the subjects' energy metabolism following participation in horticultural activities involving target microorganisms. The increase in several fatty acids related to the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway suggests that participation in horticultural activities involving target microorganisms may be associated with the alleviation of depression.

[0063] Additionally, the evaluation device (100) can perform correlation analysis to identify metabolites that contribute to the subject's electroencephalographic activity using metabolite data.

[0064] Specifically, correlation analysis was performed to identify the relationship between EEG activity and significantly changed serum metabolites, and the results of the analysis can be visualized as a correlation map, as illustrated in FIG. 6, which will be described below, and can be calculated using, for example, the Pearson correlation coefficient.

[0065] Meanwhile, when the target microorganism was S. rimosus, glucose, glycolic acid, succinic acid, octanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, arachidonic acid, and glycerol showed a significant correlation (p < 0.05) with EEG activity, and these metabolites were confirmed to be involved in the major metabolic pathways affected by S. rimosus treatment. These results provide important information for comprehensively interpreting the effects of horticultural activities using S. rimosus on brain function and metabolism in subjects with depressive symptoms. In particular, the fact that metabolites involved in the TCA cycle and fatty acid metabolism showed a significant correlation with EEG activity suggests a close connection between energy metabolism and brain function, and supports the hypothesis that the effect of S. rimosus may affect brain activity through metabolic changes.

[0066] Hereinafter, an experimental example connected with an evaluation device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

[0067] For reference, the experimental example described in detail below selected multiple subjects to participate in horticultural activities and had them perform horticultural activities in a preset indoor environment (temperature 25.25±1.30°C, humidity 52.59±9.00%). The soil used for the horticultural activities was prepared as soil inoculated with the target microorganism, S. rimosus. Specifically, the soil containing the target microorganism applied to the experimental group was prepared using peat moss, perlite, water, and S. rimosus culture solution, and the soil used for the horticultural activities performed by the control group was prepared using peat moss, perlite, water, and sterilized culture solution.

[0068] In addition, the gardening activities that the subjects participating in the experiment were induced to perform were, for example, set as a 20-minute seed-planting activity type, and specific detailed tasks were given, such as mixing soil, filling soil in seeding trays, planting kidney bean seeds, and watering.

[0069] Meanwhile, the electroencephalographic data (EEG) of the subjects who participated in the horticultural activities were measured using, for example, a 20-channel wireless dry electrode electroencephalogram (EEG) device to measure the activity of the frontal lobe and prefrontal lobe, and 5 mL of blood samples were collected before and after the horticultural activities, and GC-TOF-MS analysis was applied.

[0070] Additionally, the HS-SPME-GC-TOF-MS technique was used to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs) related to soil containing target microorganisms.

[0071] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an experimental example linked to a device for assessing psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention, and exemplarily illustrating the analysis results of EEG data. Specifically, Figure 3 is a chart comparing EEG data linked to the frontal lobe of each subject in the experimental and control groups.

[0072] Referring to Figure 3, a comparison of the electroencephalogram (EEG) results in the frontal lobe revealed a significant difference between gardening activities using soil inoculated with Streptomyces rimosus and activities using sterilized soil, and in particular, significant changes were observed in the central frontal lobe (Fz).

[0073] Specifically, when using S. rimosus soil, relative theta (RT), relative alpha (RA), relative slow alpha (RSA), sensorimotor rhythm middle beta to theta ratio (RSMT), and alpha to high-frequency beta ratio (RAHB) significantly increased, whereas relative beta (RB), relative high-frequency beta (RHB), relative gamma (RG), and spectral edge frequency 50% (SEF50) and 90% (SEF90) significantly decreased.

[0074] These changes indicate increased relaxation, passive attention, neurophysiological concentration, and reduced stress, while no significant differences were observed in the left and right frontal lobes (F3, F4). These results indicate that gardening activities using soil inoculated with S. rimosus have a positive effect on brain activity in the central frontal lobe, and can particularly improve relaxation and concentration.

[0075] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a list of major metabolic pathways and related metabolites, illustrating an experimental example linked to a device for assessing psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a list of serum metabolites that showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups, as confirmed by GC-TOF-MS.

[0076] Referring to Figure 4, the citric acid cycle (TCA cycle), glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, galactose metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism were identified as the major pathways affected by participation in horticultural activities using soil inoculated with target microorganisms. For each pathway, the total number of compounds, the number of matching metabolites, raw p-value, -log10(p) value, Holm p-value, FDR p-value, and pathway influence value are presented. In particular, the citric acid cycle showed the highest statistical significance (-log10(p) = 18.593), and glycerolipid metabolism showed the highest pathway influence value (0.33022). Meanwhile, these experimental results suggest that S. rimosus treatment significantly affects energy metabolism and lipid metabolism, and that these changes may be associated with the improvement of depressive symptoms.

[0077] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the difference in metabolites in the serum of the experimental group and the control group as an experimental example linked to a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to Figure 5, when listing serum metabolites that showed significant differences between the control group and the experimental group using GC-TOF-MS, a total of 44 metabolites were identified, and these can be classified into carbohydrates and derivatives, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amino acids and derivatives, fatty acids and derivatives, lipids and derivatives, alcohols, and other substances.

[0079] For each metabolite, the retention time (RT), VIP value, unique mass (m / z), mass fragmentation pattern, identification method (ID), and degree of trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization are presented, and notable metabolites included glycerate, glucose, succinate, pyroglutamic acid, octanoic acid, and palmitic acid. In particular, these experimental results demonstrate that S. rimosus treatment affects various metabolic pathways, particularly causing significant changes in energy metabolism and lipid metabolism, and these changes in metabolite profiles provide important information for understanding the biochemical mechanisms associated with the improvement of depressive symptoms.

[0080] FIG. 6 is an experimental example linked to a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a drawing exemplarily showing evaluation information according to horticultural activity performance derived using metabolite data obtained using a subject's blood sample.

[0081] Specifically, Fig. 6 shows the results of multivariate statistical analysis on the GC-TOF-MS dataset of serum samples collected for each subject included in the experimental group and the control group, where (A) of Fig. 6 is an OPLS-DA score plot, (B) of Fig. 6 is a validation plot of the OPLS-DA model, and (C) of Fig. 6 shows the results of a heatmap analysis on the relative abundance of differentiated serum metabolites.

[0082] Referring to Figure 6, the results show that S. rimosus treatment of soil significantly changes the serum metabolite profile, and that these changes follow a consistent and predictable pattern.

[0083] Specifically, referring to (A) of Fig. 6, the analysis of the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) score plot for the GC-TOF-MS dataset shows a clear difference between the experimental and control groups, and that the metabolite profiles between the two groups are statistically significantly different. In addition, referring to (B) of Fig. 6, the validation plot of the 200-permutation test for the predicted OPLS-DA model confirms the excellent fit and predictive ability of the model.

[0084] Also, referring to (C) of Fig. 6, the heatmap analysis results for the relative abundance of various serum metabolites obtained from GC-TOF-MS analysis show that the color change (from blue to red) indicates the change in metabolite levels in the experimental group compared to the control group, and most metabolites showed a tendency to increase in the experimental group.

[0085] Figure 7 is an exemplary experimental diagram illustrating the results of pathway analysis using metabolite data, linked to a device for assessing psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 7 illustrates the results of pathway analysis of altered metabolites in serum based on a KEGG pathway network.

[0086] Referring to Figure 7, it is a visual representation of how the metabolites changed in the serum after Streptomyces rimosus treatment affect which biological pathways. The x-axis of the graph represents the pathway influence value, the y-axis represents the -log(p) value, and the size of the circle represents the number of metabolites included in the pathway.

[0087] In addition, the change in color in the graph of Fig. 7 indicates the significance of the p-value, and the closer to red, the more significant the change. The major affected pathways were identified as the citric acid cycle (TCA cycle), glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, galactose metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, starch, and sucrose metabolism, and in particular, the citric acid cycle and glycerolipid metabolism showed high statistical significance and pathway impact values, confirming that S. rimosus treatment significantly affects energy metabolism and lipid metabolism.

[0088] Figure 8 is an experimental example linked to a device for assessing psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram exemplifying the results of a correlation analysis using metabolite data. Specifically, Figure 8 depicts a correlation map based on the Pearson correlation coefficient between EEG activity and metabolite levels.

[0089] Referring to Figure 8, the correlation between the subject's EEG activity and metabolite levels is visualized according to Pearson's correlation coefficient, and this correlation map can be used to confirm the relationship between the changes in brain activity observed after Streptomyces rimosus treatment and the changes in serum metabolite levels.

[0090] Specifically, individual squares represent Pearson correlation coefficient values ​​(r), with red indicating a positive correlation (0 <r<0.5), 파란색은 음의 상관관계(-0.5< r<0)를 나타내고, 색상의 강도는 상관관계의 강도를 반영한다.

[0091] In addition, the squares marked with an asterisk (*) in Fig. 8 indicate statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05), and in particular, it can be confirmed that metabolites such as glucose, glycolic acid, succinic acid, octanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, arachidonic acid, and glycerol show significant correlations with EEG activity.

[0092] To summarize the experimental examples of this study, described through Figures 3 to 8, in order to investigate the effects of gardening activities using soil inoculated with Streptomyces rimosus (S. rimosus) on adults experiencing depressive symptoms, 30 subjects participated in gardening activities using soil inoculated with S. rimosus and soil in a control group. Comparative analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG) between the experimental and control groups revealed significant changes in several waveforms in the central frontal lobe. In addition, serum analysis confirmed changes in 44 metabolites, and a trend toward an increase in metabolites related to the TCA cycle and fatty acid biosynthesis was observed. Furthermore, when examining the effects of inhalation of VOCs generated from S. rimosus, especially 2-MIB and geosmin, on frontal lobe activity, changes in EEG, especially increases in alpha waves, reflect a state of comfort and stability, which can be interpreted as being associated with alleviation of depression. In addition, changes in serum metabolites, especially increases in substances related to the TCA cycle and fatty acid metabolism, suggest a potential link between improved energy metabolism and alleviation of depression.

[0093] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 9, the evaluation device (100) may include a horticultural activity design unit (110), a data collection unit (120), and a response evaluation unit (130).

[0095] The horticultural activity design department (110) can obtain horticultural activity design information including information on target microorganisms inoculated into the soil used for horticultural activities performed by the subject.

[0096] For example, the horticultural activity design department (110) can set Streptomyces rimosus as a target microorganism and obtain horticultural activity design information including information on the inoculation environment of Streptomyces rimosus.

[0097] The data collection unit (120) can collect biometric data of a subject performing horticultural activities. For example, the data collection unit (120) can collect brain wave data of the subject and metabolite data obtained using the subject's blood sample.

[0098] The response evaluation unit (130) can generate evaluation information on the subject's psychophysiological response corresponding to the horticultural activity design information through analysis of the collected bio-data.

[0099] Specifically, the response evaluation unit (130) can derive evaluation information including information on the difference between the psychophysiological response of an experimental group among multiple subjects who performed horticultural activities using soil containing target microorganisms and the psychophysiological response of a control group among multiple subjects who performed horticultural activities using soil not containing target microorganisms.

[0100] For example, the response evaluation unit (130) can generate evaluation information including evaluation results for at least one of the relaxation level, attention level, and stress level of each subject.

[0101] More specifically, the response evaluation unit (130) can analyze the brain wave response of the subject while the subject is performing gardening activities using brain wave data among the collected biometric data.

[0102] In this regard, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the response evaluation unit (130) can analyze an EEG response associated with at least one of RT (Relative theta), RA (Relative alpha), RSA (Relative slow alpha), RB (Relative beta), RHB (Relative high beta), RG (Relative gamma), RSMT (Ratio of sensorimotor rhythm mid beta to theta), and RAHB (Ratio of alpha to high beta) using EEG data.

[0103] In addition, the reaction evaluation unit (130) can perform pathway analysis to identify major metabolic pathways according to horticultural activities using metabolite data.

[0104] Additionally, the response evaluation unit (130) can perform correlation analysis to identify metabolites that contribute to the subject's electroencephalographic activity using metabolite data.

[0105] Below, we will briefly review the operating flow of the present invention based on the detailed description above.

[0106] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] The method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities, as illustrated in Fig. 10, can be performed using the evaluation device (100) described above. Therefore, even if omitted below, the description of the evaluation device (100) can be equally applied to the description of the method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 10, in step S11, the horticultural activity design unit (110) can obtain horticultural activity design information including (a) information on target microorganisms inoculated into the soil used for horticultural activities performed by the subject.

[0109] For example, in step S11, the horticultural activity design unit (110) can set Streptomyces rimosus as a target microorganism and obtain horticultural activity design information including information on the inoculation environment of Streptomyces rimosus.

[0110] Next, in step S12, the data collection unit (120) can collect (b) biometric data of a subject performing gardening activities.

[0111] Specifically, in step S12, the data collection unit (120) can collect metabolite data obtained using the subject's brain wave data and the subject's blood sample.

[0112] Next, in step S13, the reaction evaluation unit (130) can generate evaluation information on the psychophysiological response of the subject corresponding to the horticultural activity design information acquired in step S11 through analysis of the collected bio-data (c).

[0113] Specifically, in step S13, the response evaluation unit (130) can derive evaluation information including information on the difference between the psychophysiological response of an experimental group among a plurality of subjects who performed horticultural activities using soil containing target microorganisms and the psychophysiological response of a control group among a plurality of subjects who performed horticultural activities using soil not containing target microorganisms.

[0114] For example, in step S13, the response evaluation unit (130) can generate evaluation information including an evaluation result for at least one of the relaxation level, attention level, and stress level of each subject.

[0115] In the above description, steps S11 to S13 may be further divided into additional steps or combined into fewer steps, depending on the implementation example of the present invention. Furthermore, some steps may be omitted as needed, and the order of the steps may be changed.

[0116] Figure 11 is a detailed flowchart of the process for generating assessment information on the subject's psychophysiological responses.

[0117] The process of generating evaluation information on the subject's psychophysiological response, as illustrated in Figure 11, can be performed by the evaluation device (100) described above. Therefore, even if omitted below, the description of the evaluation device (100) can be equally applied to the description of a method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 11, in step S131, the response evaluation unit (130) can analyze the brain wave response of the subject while the subject is performing gardening activities using brain wave data among the collected biometric data.

[0119] Specifically, in step S131, the response evaluation unit (130) can analyze an EEG response associated with at least one of RT (Relative theta), RA (Relative alpha), RSA (Relative slow alpha), RB (Relative beta), RHB (Relative high beta), RG (Relative gamma), RSMT (Ratio of sensorimotor rhythm mid beta to theta), and RAHB (Ratio of alpha to high beta) using EEG data.

[0120] Next, in step S132, the reaction evaluation unit (130) can perform pathway analysis to identify major metabolic pathways according to horticultural activities using metabolite data.

[0121] Next, in step S133, the reaction evaluation unit (130) can perform correlation analysis to identify metabolites that contribute to the subject's electroencephalographic activity using metabolite data.

[0122] In the above description, steps S131 to S133 may be further divided into additional steps or combined into fewer steps, depending on the implementation example of the present invention. Furthermore, some steps may be omitted as needed, and the order of the steps may be changed.

[0123] A method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities according to one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed by various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., either singly or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be known and usable by those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program commands include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The above hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0124] Additionally, the method for evaluating psychophysiological responses to the aforementioned horticultural activities can also be implemented in the form of a computer program or application executed by a computer and stored in a recording medium.

[0125] The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0126] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In the method of evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities, (a) a step of obtaining horticultural activity design information including information on target microorganisms inoculated into soil used in horticultural activities performed by a subject; (b) a step of collecting biometric data of the subject performing the above horticultural activity; and (c) a step of generating evaluation information on the psychophysiological response of the subject corresponding to the gardening activity design information through analysis of the above biometric data; An evaluation method including:

2. In paragraph 1, Step (b) above, An evaluation method comprising collecting metabolite data obtained using brain wave data of the subject and blood samples of the subject.

3. In paragraph 2, Step (c) above, An evaluation method comprising analyzing a brain wave response of the subject, including at least one of RT (Relative theta), RA (Relative alpha), RSA (Relative slow alpha), RB (Relative beta), RHB (Relative high beta), RG (Relative gamma), RSMT (Ratio of sensorimotor rhythm mid beta to theta), and RAHB (Ratio of alpha to high beta), while the subject performs the gardening activity using the brain wave data.

4. In paragraph 2, Step (c) above, A step of performing a pathway analysis to identify major metabolic pathways according to the horticultural activity using the above metabolite data, An evaluation method including:

5. In paragraph 2, Step (c) above, A step of performing a correlation analysis to identify metabolites contributing to the subject's electroencephalographic activity using the above metabolite data, An evaluation method including:

6. In paragraph 1, Step (c) above, An evaluation method for deriving the evaluation information, which includes information on the difference between the psychophysiological response of the experimental group that performed horticultural activities using soil containing the target microorganism among the above subjects and the psychophysiological response of the control group that performed horticultural activities using soil not containing the target microorganism among the above subjects.

7. In paragraph 1, The above evaluation information is, An evaluation method, wherein the evaluation results are generated to include at least one of the subject's relaxation level, attention level, and stress level.

8. In paragraph 1, An evaluation method wherein the target microorganism comprises Streptomyces rimosus.

9. In a device for evaluating psychophysiological responses to horticultural activities, A horticultural activity design department that obtains horticultural activity design information including information on target microorganisms inoculated into soil used in horticultural activities performed by a subject; A data collection unit that collects biometric data of the subject performing the above horticultural activity; and A response evaluation unit that generates evaluation information on the subject's psychophysiological response corresponding to the gardening activity design information through analysis of the above biometric data; An evaluation device including:

10. In paragraph 9, The above data collection unit, An evaluation device that collects brain wave data of the subject and metabolite data obtained using a blood sample of the subject.

11. In paragraph 10, The above reaction evaluation section, An evaluation device that analyzes the brain wave response of the subject, including at least one of RT (Relative theta), RA (Relative alpha), RSA (Relative slow alpha), RB (Relative beta), RHB (Relative high beta), RG (Relative gamma), RSMT (Ratio of sensorimotor rhythm mid beta to theta), and RAHB (Ratio of alpha to high beta), while the subject performs the gardening activity using the brain wave data.

12. In paragraph 10, The above reaction evaluation section, An evaluation device that performs pathway analysis to identify major metabolic pathways according to the horticultural activity using the above metabolite data.

13. In paragraph 10, The above reaction evaluation section, An evaluation device that performs correlation analysis to identify metabolites contributing to the electroencephalographic activity of the subject using the above metabolite data.

14. In paragraph 9, The above reaction evaluation section, An evaluation device that derives the evaluation information including information on the difference between the psychophysiological response of the experimental group that performed horticultural activities using soil containing the target microorganism among the above subjects and the psychophysiological response of the control group that performed horticultural activities using soil not containing the target microorganism among the above subjects.

15. In paragraph 9, An evaluation device wherein the target microorganism comprises Streptomyces rimosus.

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