Data Sheet 1_Short-term responses across two sequential plant-based activity sessions: an exploratory fixed-order pilot study.pdf

Post hoc TOST examined exploratory equivalence bounds.</p>Results<p>Both sessions were followed by favorable short-term psychological changes. DASS-21 scores decreased by 8.57 points in Session 1 [95% CI (5.41, 11.72), n = 23] and 5.53 in Session 2 [(2.65, 8.41), n = 17]. STAI-S scores decreased by 7.30 points in Session 1 [(5.23, 9.37), n = 25] and 6.86 in Session 2 [(4.07, 9.66), n = 22]; all four Holm-adjusted p values were <0.001.

Complete-case comparisons showed no statistically detectable between-session difference in DASS-21 improvement [3.12 points, 95% CI (−1.51, 7.75)] or STAI-S improvement [0.34 points, (−3.15, 3.83)]. STAI-S changes met the exploratory TOST criterion only at the broad ±0.50 standardized bound. Horticultural wellbeing improved in both sessions; SDNN and RMSSD increased, whereas EEG findings did not remain significant after multiplicity correction.</p>Conclusion<p>Both sessions were associated with favorable short-term psychological changes, particularly reduced distress and state anxiety.

These findings support the feasibility and potential value of brief, hands-on plant-based activities in community settings and provide estimates for larger randomized, counterbalanced trials. Given the fixed order and absence of a control group, the findings are preliminary rather than definitive causal or modality-specific evidence.</p>