Evaluating the Impact of Improvements in Urban Green Space on Older Adults' Physical Activity and Wellbeing: a Natural Experimental Study

NCT03575923 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: NE/N013530/1
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 1,200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background: Creating or improving urban green space has the potential to be an effective and sustainable way to increase physical activity and improve other aspects of wellbeing in older adults. However, the size and quality of the existing evidence base is weak. There is particularly a lack of studies on older adults and in the United Kingdom. This study aims to evaluate the effect of four small local street greening intervention projects on older adults' physical activity and wellbeing over a one-year period. The street greening includes tree and flower planting, and artificial tree decorations. These projects are based in a deprived urban neighbourhood in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Methods: Eight unimproved comparison sites were selected to compare with the intervention sites. The researchers will measure physical activity and two other behavioural indicators of wellbeing (Connect: connecting with other people; and Take Notice: taking notice of the environment) using a newly developed observation tool. It is thought that the largest effect of the interventions will be on Take Notice behaviour due to improvements in the aesthetic quality of green space at the intervention sites. Baseline data collection occurred in September 2017 before the interventions were installed in November 2017. Follow-up data collection will be repeated in February/ March 2018 (6 months) and September 2018 (12 months). Discussion: The present study offers a rare opportunity to evaluate the before-and-after effects of small-scale changes in urban green space, in an understudied population (older adults) and setting (United Kingdom). Although the interventions are expected to have small effects on peoples' behaviour, this study will address key weaknesses in previous studies.

Conditions

Physical Activity and Wellbeing

Keywords

Physical activity; Wellbeing; Urban green space; Older adults; Natural experiment; Protocol; GHIA

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Take Notice behaviour

  The primary outcome will be a count per observation period of Take Notice behaviour at 12 months. Take Notice behaviour is the primary outcome because the interventions are expected to improve the aesthetic quality of green space by providing visual information of value to users, thus causing more overt appreciation in the intervention sites.

  12 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Take Notice behaviour

  6 months

• Overall count of older adults

  6 months

• Overall count of older adults

  12 months

Other Outcomes (8)

• Sedentary behaviour

  6 months

• Sedentary behaviour

  12 months

• Walking behaviour

  6 months

Study Arms (12)

Intervention site 1

2 planted trees; bulb planting

Behavioral: Urban street greening

Comparison site 1A

Comparison site 1B

Intervention site 2

12 planted trees; bulb planting; artificial tree decorations (string lights)

Behavioral: Urban street greening

Comparison site 2A

Comparison site 2B

Intervention site 3

3 planted trees; artificial tree decorations (string lights, tree socks)

Behavioral: Urban street greening

Comparison site 3A

Comparison site 3B

Intervention site 4

8 planted trees; bulb planting; artificial tree decorations (string lights, tree socks)

Behavioral: Urban street greening

Comparison site 4A

Comparison site 4B

Interventions

Urban street greening BEHAVIORAL

The interventions are located on four publicly accessible sites; the total size of the floor area of green space in each of the intervention sites is small, ranging from 0.09 to 0.35 acres. Components of the interventions include tree and flower planting (expected to bloom by March 2018) and artificial tree decorations such as strings of small electric lights and tree socks (the interventions are hereafter collectively referred to as urban street greening). The total cost for all components across all four intervention sites is approximately £6,000, although this excludes artist fees connected to the project. All components of the interventions were implemented within a one week period in November 2017 by two arborists, two local artists, staff members at Southway Housing Trust, and local community members from Old Moat and a local school.

Intervention site 1; Intervention site 2; Intervention site 3; Intervention site 4

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study is focused on older adults and therefore primary analyses will only consider data from older adults. Secondary analyses will consider data from adults.

You may qualify if:

• ° All individuals (infants, children, teens, adults, older adults) entering the target area during observation periods

You may not qualify if:

• ° Any individuals that request their data to be removed from the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Manchester: lead

Study Sites (1)

Greater Manchester

Multiple Locations, Greater Manchester, Various, United Kingdom

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Benton JS, Anderson J, Cotterill S, Dennis M, Lindley SJ, French DP. Evaluating the impact of improvements in urban green space on older adults' physical activity and wellbeing: protocol for a natural experimental study. BMC Public Health. 2018 Jul 27;18(1):923. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5812-z.

  PMID: 30053861 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 11, 2018
• First Posted: July 3, 2018
• Study Start: September 4, 2017
• Primary Completion: September 21, 2018
• Study Completion: September 21, 2018
• Last Updated: March 24, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)