Park Visit Program for Dementia

Overseen By Dallas P Seitz, MD, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Calgary

Disqualifiers: Unstable conditions, Long-term care, Limited mobility, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assess the impact of park visits and nature-based activities on people with dementia and their caregivers. Time spent in nature might enhance quality of life, mood, and stress levels. Participants will attend educational sessions and receive weekly support as they aim to visit parks regularly as part of the Nature Connections Intervention. The trial seeks individuals with mild to moderate dementia who engage in less than two hours of outdoor activities weekly and have a caregiver who spends at least two hours a week with them. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore the potential benefits of nature-based interventions for dementia care.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on park visits and nature activities, so it's best to check with the trial organizers or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that the Nature Connections Intervention is safe for people with dementia and their caregivers?

Research has shown that spending time in nature is generally safe for people with dementia. Activities like visiting parks boost mental and physical health without serious side effects. Participants in studies often feel happier, think more clearly, and experience less stress.

Strong evidence of negative effects from these activities is lacking. Instead, people usually report feeling more relaxed and connected to their environment. Being in nature enhances overall well-being, making it a promising and safe choice for those living with dementia. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Nature Connections Intervention is unique because it integrates nature-based experiences to potentially improve the well-being of individuals with dementia. Unlike standard treatments that often involve medications targeting cognitive symptoms or behavioral therapies, this approach leverages the therapeutic benefits of outdoor activities in natural settings. Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how engaging with nature might enhance mood, cognitive function, and quality of life without relying on pharmacological interventions. This approach also aims to reduce caregiver burden and stress, offering a holistic, non-invasive alternative to traditional care methods.

What evidence suggests that the Nature Connections Intervention is effective for improving quality of life in people with dementia?

Research shows that spending time in nature benefits people with dementia by enhancing physical health, cognitive abilities, and emotional well-being. Studies have found that nature reduces agitation and stress in dementia patients. Participants often feel more connected to others and experience improved overall well-being. This trial will evaluate the Nature Connections Intervention, where participants visit parks and engage in nature activities, potentially enhancing the quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers. Evidence supports the idea that nature can help manage some symptoms of dementia. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dallas P Seitz, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Calgary

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for people aged 65+ with mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's, scoring 12-25 on the MoCA test. They should engage in less than 2 hours of outdoor activities weekly and have a caregiver who spends at least 2 hours per week with them. Participants must be mobile (with or without help) and able to visit local parks.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 65 years old or older.

I spend 2 or more hours weekly caring for someone with dementia.

Participants who currently participate in less than 2 hours of outdoor activities weekly using the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria

Patients residing in long-term care or nursing homes

Participants who do not have adequate comprehension and verbal communication in English necessary to participate in measurement of outcomes.

I cannot do outdoor activities due to unstable health conditions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Education Session

Participants attend an education session highlighting the benefits of park visits and addressing common barriers.

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Nature Connections Intervention

Participants engage in an 8-week park visit program with weekly telephone/internet support meetings.

8 weeks

Weekly virtual meetings

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive function, mood, behaviors, quality of life, and stress levels.

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Nature Connections Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a 'Nature Connections' program involving park visits and nature-based activities for those with dementia and their caregivers. It includes education sessions, support meetings, and evaluates the impact on quality of life, behavior, stress over an 8-week period.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Nature Connections Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be screened to confirm their eligibility to partake in the study. Participants who meet the study criteria will then be invited to participate in the nature connections intervention. At the start of the intervention, mid-intervention and post intervention, participants will be invited to participate in assessments of their behaviour and mood symptoms, cognition, quality of life, caregiver burden and stress levels using different measures and questionnaires at the University of Calgary. Participants will be provided with a visit passport to record a log of activities completed during the park visits.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Calgary

Lead Sponsor

Trials

827

Recruited

902,000+

Alzheimer's Association

Collaborator

Trials

103

Recruited

44,300+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12294372/

Effectiveness of Nature-Based Interventions in Reducing ... This study aims to investigate various nature-based interventions for reducing agitation in people with dementia in long-term residential care ...

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s44220-024-00259-5

Early detection of dementia with default-mode network ... We investigated whether a neurobiological model of DMN effective connectivity could predict a future dementia diagnosis at the single-participant level.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558125000570

Addressing nature disconnection in dementia Critical positive outcomes from meaningful nature connection include improved physical, cognitive, mental, and emotional health, enhanced social connection, ...

4. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-88890-9

Testing the iMplementation Framework fOr behavioral and ... This study systematically evaluated MOBILIZE implementation outcomes of the 3-site aerobic exercise and cognitive training (ACT) Trial.

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03552-7

Dementia prevention needs clinical trials Interventions focused on disease prevention are a promising strategy for combating the rising incidence of dementia, but more evidence from clinical trials is ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11915771/

How are nature-based interventions defined in mild ... A conceptual systematic review of research published between 2008 and 2024 investigating nature-based interventions for people living with mild ...

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63277-6

Social exposome and brain health outcomes of dementia ... The findings highlight how diverse data and tailored modeling can capture precise brain health outcomes of aging and dementia, crucial for ...