Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

You, Me and Nature Pilot Study

This pilot study wants to see if spending time in nature can help people living with memory problems like dementia or mild cognitive impairment. It involves a person with memory challenges and their helper (like a family member or friend) working together. The helper learns how to lead eight weekly nature activities. This isn't a big study yet; it’s a first step to see if this type of activity is helpful enough to do a larger study in the future. We'll also be checking how well the study itself is set up. This research could add to what we know about nature’s positive effects on people with memory conditions.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Harmony Jiang

Enrolment target

Start

29 Jan 2025

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2025

Dementia Mild Cognitive Impairment

What is this study about?

Many people believe that spending time in nature can be good for us, and this might also be true for people living with dementia or memory problems. However, there aren't many organised nature activities specifically designed for people with these conditions who live in their own homes or supported accommodation.

This study is trying out a new program where a helper, like a family member or friend, leads nature activities for someone they care for who has mild cognitive impairment or dementia. This program was created with ideas from people living with dementia, their helpers, and medical experts. This is a small, early-stage study, sometimes called a 'pilot' study. Its main goal is to see if this program works well and if the study itself is set up properly.

The information gathered will help us decide if it’s worth doing a much larger study in the future. It will also help us understand more about how nature-based activities could support people with memory conditions. This study hopes to add to the positive ways we can help people live well with dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

Key takeaways

Exploring if nature activities help people with memory problems.
A small study to test a new program led by a caregiver.
Involves 8 weeks of nature activities and questionnaires.
Aims to decide if a bigger study is needed in the future.
Participation includes both the person with memory issues and their helper.
You can stop taking part at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, we're looking for two people who will take part together: someone living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and their unpaid helper (like a family member or friend).

Both you and your helper need to be 18 years old or older and live in your own home or supported accommodation, not in a nursing or care home. You both also need to be able to understand the information about the study and speak enough English to answer questions and take part in the activities. The person with memory challenges needs to be willing to follow the activities in the manual, and their helper needs to be willing to lead them throughout the study.

Quick self-check

Do I have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia?
Am I 18 years old or older?
Do I live in my own home or supported accommodation (not a care home)?
Do I have a family member or friend who is my helper and willing to join the study too?
Can both of us speak and understand English well enough for the activities and forms?
Am I willing to do weekly nature activities for 8 weeks?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you and your helper will first meet with a researcher to learn about the study and ask any questions. If you agree, you’ll both fill out consent forms and questionnaires about your background, mood, and how you use health services. A computer will then randomly decide if you start the nature activities straight away or join a waiting list to do them later.

If you start straight away, your helper will attend a short online training session. Then, for 8 weeks, they will lead you through various nature-based activities, completing a short evaluation sheet after each session. The researcher will call your helper twice during these 8 weeks to check in. At the end, both you and your helper will complete another questionnaire. If you were on the waiting list, you'll then get the chance to do the activities. You may also be invited to an optional interview to share your experiences.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some benefits, such as enjoying tailored nature activities and the satisfaction of contributing to important research. You might also find it helpful to connect with nature more regularly. We don't expect many risks; the activities are designed to be gentle and enjoyable. However, as with any outdoor activity, minor incidents like slips or stumbles are always a small possibility. You are free to stop participating at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual care or relationship with your healthcare providers.

Locations (1)

School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Education, Health and Human Sciences
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What kind of nature activities will we do?

The study manual contains a variety of nature-based activities. Your helper will lead these, tailored to your abilities and interests.

Do I need to be fit to take part?

Not particularly, the activities are designed to be flexible and suitable for different levels of fitness and mobility. Your helper will adapt them.

What happens if I'm put on the waiting list?

If you're on the waiting list, you won't start the activities right away but will get the chance to do them after the study ends for the first group.

Will this study change my current medical care?

No, this study will not affect any medical care or treatments you are currently receiving.

How much time will this take each week?

You'll do one activity session per week for 8 weeks. The exact time for each session will vary depending on the activity chosen.