Utilization of horticultural crops as natural stimulants to enhance sleep quality in healthcare nursing workers engaged in night shifts

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of horticultural crops as natural stimulants in overcoming sleep deprivation issues among healthcare professionals. The research approach used for the study is a static group pre-test and post-test design, with 60 nursing professionals grouped into an HT (n=30) and a control group (n=30). The experimental group was exposed to natural stimulants in the form of indoor plants as a visual stimulant, lavender as a smell stimulant, and chamomile as a taste stimulant, and achieved better results in physiological measures (Blood pressure and heart rate) and the sleep quality index. The pre-test value for the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index indicated a sleep deprivation score of 10.72±1.53 during the pre-test, and it improved the sleep level with a post-test value of 6.66±0.95. The drop in blood pressure, as measured by systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, has been a positive sign of the effectiveness of horticultural therapeutic approaches, with a P-value of 0.01, indicating significance at the 1% level. The subjective feedback indicates that the combination effect of all three stimulants, followed by the lavender plant as a smell stimulant, has achieved a more satisfactory level. As the results signify the healing effect of the plants on healthcare professionals' sleep issues, it paves the way for exploring more horticultural crops as sensory stimulants in terms of their influencing aromatic properties, texture, fragrance, and appeal. The first-line sleep issues can be addressed sustainably by utilizing horticulture plants as stimulants, which are safer, more accessible, and cost-effective.