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The Emotional, Physical and Cognitive Benefits of Purposeful Green Space Activities on Seniors

Primary Purpose

Loneliness, Social Isolation, Mood

Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Green space
Sponsored by
University of Virginia
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional basic science trial for Loneliness

Eligibility Criteria

65 Years - undefined (Older Adult)All SexesAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Over 65 years
  • A JABA center user
  • Can walk unassisted for 20 minutes
  • Willing to comply with COVID-19 regulations

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Under 65 years
  • Never used a JABA center
  • unable to walk unassisted for 20 minutes.
  • Unwilling to comply with COVID-19 regulations

Sites / Locations

  • University of Virginia

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm 3

Arm Type

Experimental

Experimental

Experimental

Arm Label

Walking

Citizen Science

Planting

Arm Description

This contemplative activity will see users taken to a local green space area near their center and encouraged to walk around the space. It is anticipated walks will last around 15-20 minutes.

This cerebral activity sees users engage with local green spaces, under the instruction of a citizen scientist, to learn about the intricacies of the space. This may include lichen counts (or similar) where the main outcome is learning based.

This physical activity will see users, lead by a local Master Gardener, engage with planting vegetables/fruit in raised beds. Not only will this allow users a chance to engage physically with nature, but it is anticipated that the grown produce will be used for center users.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Loneliness (Time 1)
measured by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, a 3-item scale that captures feelings of loneliness. Scores range from 3 to 9 with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived loneliness
Loneliness (Time 2)
measured by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, a 3-item scale that captures feelings of loneliness. Scores range from 3 to 9 with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived loneliness
Social Isolation (Time 1)
Measured by the General Belonging Scale (GBS), a 12-item scale capturing social acceptance/inclusion and social rejection/exclusion. Scores will range from 12 to 84, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived belonging.
Social Isolation (Time 2)
Measured by the General Belonging Scale (GBS), a 12-item scale capturing social acceptance/inclusion and social rejection/exclusion. Scores will range from 12 to 84, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived belonging.
Mood (Time 1)
pre and post measures of mood will be taken using the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) Mood Adjective Checklist (MACL), an acute measure of hedonic tone, stress and arousal. Each subscale will range from 4 to 12, with higher scores indicating higher valence, stress and arousal, respectively.
Mood (Time 2)
pre and post measures of mood will be taken using the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) Mood Adjective Checklist (MACL), an acute measure of hedonic tone, stress and arousal. Each subscale will range from 4 to 12, with higher scores indicating higher valence, stress and arousal, respectively.
Well Aging (Time 1)
Psychological restorative qualities of the setting measured by the Perceived Restorativeness Scale, a three point scale determining the restorative quality of activity spaces. Scores range from 4 to 28, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived restoration.
Well Aging (Time 2)
Psychological restorative qualities of the setting measured by the Perceived Restorativeness Scale, a three point scale determining the restorative quality of activity spaces. Scores range from 4 to 28, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived restoration.
Physical Activity (Time 1)
In addition to the arousal measure of the MACL, the investigators will use the 10 point scale of the OMNI Perceived Exertion scale, to understand how physically exerted participants feel between activities. To understand baseline physical activity, the investigators will use the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) to compare between studies. For the OMNI, scores range from 1 to 11 with higher scores indicating increased ease of the task and tiredness, respectively. For the IPAQ, this is a composite of multiple scores that depend on participant minutes exercising; final scores however determine low, medium and high levels of exertion.
Physical Activity (Time 2)
In addition to the arousal measure of the MACL, the investigators will use the 10 point scale of the OMNI Perceived Exertion scale, to understand how physically exerted participants feel between activities. To understand baseline physical activity, the investigators will use the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) to compare between studies. For the OMNI, scores range from 1 to 11 with higher scores indicating increased ease of the task and tiredness, respectively. For the IPAQ, this is a composite of multiple scores that depend on participant minutes exercising; final scores however determine low, medium and high levels of exertion.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Mobility Limitation
we will use accelerometers to measure participant movement throughout the activities to correlate with physical activity measures.

Full Information

First Posted
May 10, 2021
Last Updated
November 17, 2022
Sponsor
University of Virginia
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT04913363
Brief Title
The Emotional, Physical and Cognitive Benefits of Purposeful Green Space Activities on Seniors
Official Title
The Emotional, Physical and Cognitive Benefits of Purposeful Green Space Activities on Seniors
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
November 2022
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
June 17, 2021 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
November 17, 2022 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
November 17, 2022 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
University of Virginia

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
This project explores if various nature based activities can lead to acute improvements in emotional, physical and cognitive health outcomes and encouraging senior center (JABA) service users to return to a safe environment. The activities the investigators will use include walking in nature, engaging in physical planting and cerebral, citizen science based activities.
Detailed Description
This study builds on the previous experimental work and expands it to focus on older adults in the Charlottesville area. The study objective is to understand the impact of different types of activities in green settings on physical and mental health outcomes in older adults at JABA centers using a repeated measures, crossover design in 20 participants. There are three activity sessions in this project; walking (contemplative), planting (physical) and citizen science (cerebral). The walking condition will be a short green walk (10-15 minutes). The planting session will be run by JABA staff and a Master Gardener and will allow participants an opportunity to be outdoors and plant and tend to plants. The citizen science session will be run by JABA staff and a consultant and will rely less on physical exertion but rather focus on understanding green space at a more academic level. All sessions will be outdoors and will follow COVID-19 guidelines in place at the time of testing. Outcome Measures The investigators will use various measures to assess the impact of green activity on emotional, physical and cognitive health outcomes, including; Loneliness; measured by the UCLA Loneliness Scale, a 3-item scale that captures feelings of loneliness. Belonging; measured by the General Belonging Scale (GBS), a 12-item scale capturing social acceptance/inclusion and social rejection/exclusion. Acute Mood; pre and post measures of mood will be taken using the UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist (MACL), an acute measure of hedonic tone, stress and arousal. Restoration; Psychological restorative qualities of the setting measured by the Perceived Restorativeness Scale, a three point scale determining the restorative quality of activity spaces. Physical Activity; In addition to the arousal measure of the MACL, the investigators will use the 10 point scale of the OMNI Perceived Exertion scale, to understand how physically exerted participants feel between activities. To understand baseline physical activity, the investigators use the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) to compare between studies. Accelerometer; the investigators will use accelerometers to measure participant movement throughout the activities to correlate with physical activity measures. All outcome measures will be scored and subsequently analysed using a one-way ANOVA to determine if experimental condition leads to any statistically significant difference between outcome scores. The investigators will look for correlations between outcome measures in order to establish relationships between variables. The investigators will also send a short survey to a number of JABA service users (n=30) to understand mood, wellbeing and current barriers to returning to their local JABA center. This survey will include the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the GBS, mood and physical activity measures included above, as well as broader questions assessing their experience of the lockdown and their needs for safe return to the center. Participants will be sent consent information in advance and have an opportunity to talk to the research time prior to attending their first session. For all conditions, participants would meet at a pre-determined location near their local JABA center and taken to the activity site directly. Participants will complete the short surveys, listed above, both pre and post their activity. All activities will last around 20 minutes. Participants will return for two consecutive weeks to undertake the alternative activities to which they originally completed. Activities Participants will undertake three activities, on separate days, throughout this project. Walking; this contemplative activity will see users taken to a local green space area near their center and encouraged to walk around the space. It is anticipated that walks will last around 15-20 minutes. Planting; this physical activity will see users, lead by a local Master Gardener, engage with planting vegetables/fruit in raised beds. Not only will this allow users a chance to engage physically with nature, but it is anticipated that the grown produce will be used for center users. Citizen Science; this cerebral activity sees users engage with local green spaces, under the instruction of a citizen scientist, to learn about the intricacies of the space. This may include lichen counts (or similar) where the main outcome is learning based.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Loneliness, Social Isolation, Mood, Well Aging, Physical Activity, Mobility Limitation

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Crossover Assignment
Model Description
Repeated measures, crossover design where participants undertake each of the purposeful green space activities.
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
Non-Randomized
Enrollment
41 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Walking
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
This contemplative activity will see users taken to a local green space area near their center and encouraged to walk around the space. It is anticipated walks will last around 15-20 minutes.
Arm Title
Citizen Science
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
This cerebral activity sees users engage with local green spaces, under the instruction of a citizen scientist, to learn about the intricacies of the space. This may include lichen counts (or similar) where the main outcome is learning based.
Arm Title
Planting
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
This physical activity will see users, lead by a local Master Gardener, engage with planting vegetables/fruit in raised beds. Not only will this allow users a chance to engage physically with nature, but it is anticipated that the grown produce will be used for center users.
Intervention Type
Other
Intervention Name(s)
Green space
Intervention Description
Green space in which activities take place
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Loneliness (Time 1)
Description
measured by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, a 3-item scale that captures feelings of loneliness. Scores range from 3 to 9 with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived loneliness
Time Frame
Pre activity
Title
Loneliness (Time 2)
Description
measured by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, a 3-item scale that captures feelings of loneliness. Scores range from 3 to 9 with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived loneliness
Time Frame
Post activity (20 minutes after pre-activity measure)
Title
Social Isolation (Time 1)
Description
Measured by the General Belonging Scale (GBS), a 12-item scale capturing social acceptance/inclusion and social rejection/exclusion. Scores will range from 12 to 84, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived belonging.
Time Frame
Pre activity
Title
Social Isolation (Time 2)
Description
Measured by the General Belonging Scale (GBS), a 12-item scale capturing social acceptance/inclusion and social rejection/exclusion. Scores will range from 12 to 84, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived belonging.
Time Frame
Post activity (20 minutes after pre-activity measure)
Title
Mood (Time 1)
Description
pre and post measures of mood will be taken using the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) Mood Adjective Checklist (MACL), an acute measure of hedonic tone, stress and arousal. Each subscale will range from 4 to 12, with higher scores indicating higher valence, stress and arousal, respectively.
Time Frame
Pre activity
Title
Mood (Time 2)
Description
pre and post measures of mood will be taken using the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) Mood Adjective Checklist (MACL), an acute measure of hedonic tone, stress and arousal. Each subscale will range from 4 to 12, with higher scores indicating higher valence, stress and arousal, respectively.
Time Frame
Post activity (20 minutes after pre-activity measure)
Title
Well Aging (Time 1)
Description
Psychological restorative qualities of the setting measured by the Perceived Restorativeness Scale, a three point scale determining the restorative quality of activity spaces. Scores range from 4 to 28, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived restoration.
Time Frame
Pre activity
Title
Well Aging (Time 2)
Description
Psychological restorative qualities of the setting measured by the Perceived Restorativeness Scale, a three point scale determining the restorative quality of activity spaces. Scores range from 4 to 28, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived restoration.
Time Frame
Post activity (20 minutes after pre-activity measure)
Title
Physical Activity (Time 1)
Description
In addition to the arousal measure of the MACL, the investigators will use the 10 point scale of the OMNI Perceived Exertion scale, to understand how physically exerted participants feel between activities. To understand baseline physical activity, the investigators will use the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) to compare between studies. For the OMNI, scores range from 1 to 11 with higher scores indicating increased ease of the task and tiredness, respectively. For the IPAQ, this is a composite of multiple scores that depend on participant minutes exercising; final scores however determine low, medium and high levels of exertion.
Time Frame
Pre activity
Title
Physical Activity (Time 2)
Description
In addition to the arousal measure of the MACL, the investigators will use the 10 point scale of the OMNI Perceived Exertion scale, to understand how physically exerted participants feel between activities. To understand baseline physical activity, the investigators will use the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) to compare between studies. For the OMNI, scores range from 1 to 11 with higher scores indicating increased ease of the task and tiredness, respectively. For the IPAQ, this is a composite of multiple scores that depend on participant minutes exercising; final scores however determine low, medium and high levels of exertion.
Time Frame
Post activity (20 minutes after pre-activity measure)
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Mobility Limitation
Description
we will use accelerometers to measure participant movement throughout the activities to correlate with physical activity measures.
Time Frame
Throughout activity (measure taken for 20 minutes)

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
65 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Over 65 years A JABA center user Can walk unassisted for 20 minutes Willing to comply with COVID-19 regulations Exclusion Criteria: Under 65 years Never used a JABA center unable to walk unassisted for 20 minutes. Unwilling to comply with COVID-19 regulations
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Jenny Roe
Organizational Affiliation
University of Virginia
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
University of Virginia
City
Charlottesville
State/Province
Virginia
ZIP/Postal Code
22903
Country
United States

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No

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The Emotional, Physical and Cognitive Benefits of Purposeful Green Space Activities on Seniors

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