Effects of Nature-based Group Intervention on Quality-of-life in Lonely Older People Living in Assisted Living Facities

Plain-language summary

RECETAS (Re-imagining Environments for Connection and Engagement: Testing Actions for Social Prescribing in Natural Spaces) is a worldwide project (H2020 No 945095) that addresses loneliness and the role of nature-based social intervention (NBSI) to alleviate it. Definitions: Loneliness is the perception of feeling alone, even if surrounded by people. Social prescription is a non-medical community referral approach to connect individuals with community resources to support wellbeing. Nature-based social intervention (NBSI) is a structured therapeutic groupbased social intervention that specifically include access to nature as a main component. Nature-based experiences may facilitate dynamic processes of social interactions and it can reduce feelings of loneliness. Hypothesis: NBSI in vulnerable people suffering from loneliness is more effective than usual social and health care on improving their health-related quality of life and alleviating loneliness during 3-,6- and 12-months follow up. Objectives: This trial aims to assess the effectiveness and to explore the processes and perceived impacts of NBSI in vulnerable people suffering from loneliness in the assisted living facilities in Helsinki. In Helsinki, the main objective is to assess the effectiveness of a 10-week NBSI (RCT) in vulnerable people suffering from loneliness on changes of their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and loneliness compared to usual social and health care at end of intervention, and at 6-,and 12- months post-randomization. Methods: The study design is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The RCT will include also a process evaluation, a qualitative study and a Health Economics evaluation. Therefore, the RCT will use a mixed-method approach collecting quantitative information to assess the main outcomes and qualitative methods to explore lived experiences of participants and professionals. The recruitment will be performed screening residents in Helsinki assisted living facilities by a survey. A total of 316 participants will be randomly allocated in two groups (c.158 each) after baseline assessments: intervention and control. Participants will sign the informed consent. The intervention is a group-based, multicomponent, behaviorally based complex intervention that requires a specific training to prepare professionals as facilitators. It is based on the "Circle of Friends" methodology.

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