Project Grow: Establishing an Intergenerational Falls Prevention Gardening Programme (PGROW)

University of Roehampton

Status

Completed

Conditions

Fall

Treatments

Behavioral: Gardening programme

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT03216031

LSC/2016/55

220793 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Wandsworth Integrated Falls and Bone Health Service (IF & BHS) provides an evidence-based falls prevention exercise programme, but yearly about 500 of 1800 patients decline participation or do not continue to exercise. Our study seeks to address this efficiency gap by developing a gardening programme as an alternative to traditional exercise. In a preparation period (4/17-5/17) we will explore the special needs of the target population through interviews and create an age appropriate gardening site at "Growhampton", a gardening project run by the University of Roehampton; from 5/17 to 9/17 a falls prevention gardening group will be implemented and evaluated.

Full description

The key purpose of the study is to provide and test an intergenerational gardening project as a choice for about 30 IF & BHS patients who would otherwise decline exercise interventions. Patients previously assessed by Wandsworth Integrated Falls & Bone Health Services have identified gardening as an enjoyable alternative to exercise classes. Gardening sessions will take place weekly (aiming for 3 groups with 10 patients and 2-4 students and/or staff members of the University of Roehampton). Through engaging patients in gardening activities the study seeks to achieve 4 main aims: 1. Increase physical activity levels; 2. improve mental and physical health outcomes; 3. foster self-efficacy and social connectedness; 4. reduce the risk of falls. The at falls risk population will benefit by engaging in a meaningful activity (designed and supported by clinicians and aided by students and staff members) which delivers on the core principles of strength, power, balance and coordination.

Enrollment

16 patients

Sex

All

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Having had a Falls and Bone Health Assessment by the Integrated Falls and Bone Health Service (IF & BHS) Wandsworth
Having falls or bone health risk factors but being able to mobilise without walking aids
Having been assessed by IF & BHS as having capacity to take part in a gardening intervention programme
Having indicated an interest in attending a gardening group following the IF & BHS assessment if they a) do not want to participate in any other elements of the IF & BHS programme or if they b) have completed other elements of the service offered by the IF & BHS, e.g. exercise groups, Nordic walking or Zumba gold.

Exclusion criteria

Having a known diagnosis of dementia
Not being able to adequately understand verbal explanations or written information given in English
Having a falls risk profile that indicates that the individual has high falls risk in this context - this is a clinical decision and will take account of a number of variables including mobility (Timed up & Go of more than 20 sec) and their general health (e.g., large postural drop, uncontrolled diabetes, significant behaviour that challenges).