A pilot randomized controlled trial of group-based indoor gardening and art activities demonstrates therapeutic benefits to healthy women.

Background: There is mounting anecdotal and empirical evidence that gardening and art-making afford therapeutic benefits.

Objectives: This randomly controlled pilot study tested the hypothesis that participation in group-based indoor gardening or art-making activities for one hour twice a week for four weeks would provide quantifiably different therapeutic benefits to a population of healthy women ages 26-49.

Methods: A population of 42 volunteers was randomly assigned to parallel gardening or art-making treatment groups.