Silver Agri Age: Longevity, Intrinsic Capacity and Cognitive Impairment Into Farmlands and Natural Environments: Updating Contexts Following the "Montessori" Action

NCT06754202 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: INRCA_005_2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This project aims to enhance the intrinsic capacities of elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment by promoting innovative activities based on the Montessori approach within the context of agricultural multifunctionality. By selecting a rural environment with educational characteristics, we aim to involve individuals with mild cognitive deficits and their families in a personalized therapeutic journey. Through various activities, including horticulture, pet therapy, occupational therapies, sensory and food laboratories, we stimulate cognitive and motor skills, promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Keywords

older people; mild cognitive impairment; social farming; montessori approach

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Changes in the positive and negative affects

  The PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) produces two distinct dimensions of affect: Positive Affect (PA): Measures emotions like joy, interest, excitement, and enthusiasm and Negative Affect (NA): Measures emotions like fear, anger, sadness, and guilt. Participants rate each of the 20 items (10 for PA, 10 for NA) on a 5-point scale (from 1 = "Very slightly or not at all" to 5 = "Extremely"). The possible score range for both PA and NA is 10 to 50. Higher scores indicate higher levels of that particular affect Scores for each subscale are calculated by summing the ratings for the corresponding items.

  At baseline and after 9 months

Study Arms (1)

Subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

EXPERIMENTAL

Subjects with mild cognitive oimpairment (MCI) and self-sufficient in mobility that agreed to partecipate in various activities in rural enviroment.

Other: Social activities with cognitive stimulation

Interventions

Social activities with cognitive stimulation OTHER

The nine-month program will include social activities following the "Montessori" action in the context of the agricultural multifunctionality such as horticulture, pet therapy, occupational therapy, sensory labs, physical activity held three days a week for five hours each day.

Subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 55 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI);
• Mini Mental State Examination ≥ 24;
• ability and willingness to sign informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Mini Mental State Examination \< 24;
• severe visual impairment;
• inability to walk without help or assistance, Tinetti's scale \<20

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani: lead
• Regione Marche: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

INRCA Hospital

Ancona, 60127, Italy

RECRUITING

INRCA Hospital

Fermo, 63900, Italy

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

• Gambella E, Lombardi L, Cicconi D, Raccichini A, Paciaroni L, Giuli C, Bonfigli AR, Fabbietti P, Pelliccioni G, Gagliardi C. The Silver Agri Age project in Italy: a Montessori-inspired social intervention with older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Single-group pre-post pilot study protocol. Front Public Health. 2025 May 16;13:1561263. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1561263. eCollection 2025.

  PMID: 40453497 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Cristina Gagliardi, MsC

  IRCCS INRCA

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Anna Rita Bonfigli, PhD

CONTACT

00390718003719; a.bonfigli@inrca.it

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: pre-post study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 23, 2024
• First Posted: December 31, 2024
• Study Start: May 3, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2025
• Study Completion: June 30, 2025
• Last Updated: December 31, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-12

Locations

IT (2)