The Effect of Horticultural Activities on Physical and Cognitive Status, Mental Well-Being, Social Participation and Quality of Life in Individuals Diagnosed with Dementia

March 21, 2025 updated by: Betul Ustün, Hacettepe University
This study aims to examine the effects of horticultural activities on the physical and cognitive status, mental well-being, social participation, and quality of life of individuals diagnosed with dementia living in nursing homes. Forty individuals participated in the study. The intervention group received a 10-week horticultural activity program, conducted two days a week (one activity day and one visit day), while the control group underwent evaluations without participating in the horticultural activities. Various standardized assessment tools were used to evaluate mental status, functional mobility, cognitive performance, mental well-being, social participation, and quality of life.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of a structured horticultural activity program on individuals diagnosed with dementia who reside in nursing homes. The study was conducted with a total of 40 participants. The intervention group participated in a 10-week horticultural activity program, held twice weekly, which included one activity session and one visit session per week. The control group did not participate in the activity program but underwent the same evaluation procedures.

The assessment tools used in this study included:

Mini Mental State Examination to evaluate mental status, Timed Up and Go Test to assess functional mobility, balance, and performance, Rapid Mild Cognitive Impairment Test for cognitive assessment, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale to measure mental well-being, Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults to assess social and emotional loneliness, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Elderly Module to evaluate quality of life.

The study is designed to explore whether horticultural activities can be beneficial as part of occupational therapy interventions for individuals with dementia living in nursing homes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

40

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey
    • Isparta
      • Merkez, Isparta, Turkey
        • Betül Üstün

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Residents of a nursing home Age 65 years or older Diagnosed with dementia Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 18 or higher

Exclusion Criteria:

Orthopedic dependency requiring the use of a wheelchair Diagnosed with any neurological or psychological disorder other than dementia

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control Group
This horticultural activity program was not implemented.
Experimental: Intervention Group
This horticultural activity program was implemented.
Other: Horticultural Activity Program
Prior to the commencement of the horticultural intervention program, the nursing home was visited to assess its physical environment and to inform staff about the program's objectives. Participants were recruited, and baseline data was collected. The program was structured around weekly activities and visits, with a three-day interval between each session. Activities included plant identification, gardening tasks, and nature-based art projects. The program was designed to foster social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and physical activity, while promoting a sense of accomplishment and well-being among participants. Throughout the program, regular assessments were conducted to monitor participants' progress and satisfaction.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mini Mental State Examination Score
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 10
Assessment of participants' cognitive status using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Scores will be recorded at baseline and after the 10-week intervention period.
Baseline and Week 10
Timed Up and Go Test Performance
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 10
Evaluation of participants' functional mobility, balance, and performance using the Timed Up and Go Test. Results will be recorded at baseline and after the 10-week intervention period.
Baseline and Week 10
Rapid Mild Cognitive Impairment Test Score
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 10
Assessment of cognitive status using the Rapid Mild Cognitive Impairment Test. Scores will be recorded at baseline and after the 10-week intervention period.
Baseline and Week 10
Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale Score
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 10
Measurement of mental well-being using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Scores will be recorded at baseline and after the 10-week intervention period.
Baseline and Week 10
Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults Score
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 10
Assessment of social and emotional loneliness using the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults. Scores will be recorded at baseline and after the 10-week intervention period.
Baseline and Week 10
World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Elderly Module Score
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 10
Evaluation of participants' quality of life using the WHOQOL-OLD scale. Scores will be recorded at baseline and after the 10-week intervention period.
Baseline and Week 10

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hacettepe University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

April 10, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

October 25, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

March 15, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 14, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 21, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 27, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 27, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 21, 2025

Last Verified

March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 10470346

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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