Examining the Effects of an Outdoor Nature-Based Park Visit Program on the Behaviors, Mood, Quality of Life and Cognitive Symptoms of Individuals with Dementia and the Burden, Well-Being, and Support of Caregivers

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dc.contributor.advisorSeitz, Dallas Peter
dc.contributor.advisorPouli, Marc
dc.contributor.authorAbolarin, Margaret Oluwabukola
dc.contributor.committeememberJakubec, Sonya Lee
dc.contributor.committeememberLongman, Stewart Richard
dc.date2025-06-03
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-14T20:17:38Z
dc.date.available2025-01-14T20:17:38Z
dc.date.issued2025-01-13
dc.description.abstractBackground: As Canada's population ages, dementia prevalence is projected to rise significantly, highlighting the need for effective interventions to maintain cognitive function and enhance quality of life (QoL). Activities involving nature, particularly outdoor activities, may help slow cognitive decline and improve mood in people living with dementia (PLWD). However, the benefits of outdoor nature-based activities for PLWD in community settings and their impact on caregivers are poorly understood. Objective: This thesis examines the effects of an 8-week park visiting program on PLWD and caregivers. It investigates how this nature-based intervention is associated with changes in behaviour, mood, cognitive function, and QoL among PLWD, along with caregiver burden, well-being, and support. Design: This pilot study included community-dwelling PLWD and caregivers. Participants completed weekly 120-minute park visits guided by evidence-based recommendations. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 8. The primary outcome measure was the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) to assess behavioural changes. Secondary outcomes included the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Dementia Quality of Life (DEMQOL), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Carer Well-being and Support questionnaire (CWS). Results: Eight PLWD-caregiver pairs participated. The mean age of PLWD was 73.4 ± 5.8 years (mean ± standard deviation) and 62.5% males. Caregivers ranged in age from 45 to 71 years, with 87.5% being female. The NPI scores showed non-significant numerical improvement at Week 8 (mean difference (MD) -3.63, p = 0.10). Secondary outcomes revealed significant reductions in depressive symptoms on the CSDD (MD -1.50, p = 0.04) at Week 8, significant improvement in overall cognitive function on the RBANS (MD 6.25, p = 0.02) at Week 8, and a significant increase in QoL at Week 8 (DEMQOL: MD 3.25, p = 0.003; DEMQOL-proxy: MD 6.38, p = 0.04). Caregiver burden and well-being did not show significant changes Conclusion: Nature-based outdoor interventions, such as visits to local parks, may improve behaviours, mood, cognition, and QoL for PLWD, offering a promising lifestyle approach in dementia care. Future research could establish these activities as essential components of psychosocial dementia interventions.
dc.identifier.citationAbolarin, M. (2025). Examining the effects of an outdoor nature-based park visit program on the behaviors, mood, quality of life and cognitive symptoms of individuals with dementia and the burden, well-being, and support of caregivers (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/120447
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.facultyArts
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgary
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectAging
dc.subjectDementia
dc.subjectAlzheimer's
dc.subjectOlder Adults
dc.subjectNeurocognitive
dc.subjectOutdoor
dc.subjectNature
dc.subjectNature-based
dc.subjectPsychosocial
dc.subjectPre-post
dc.subject.classificationNeuroscience
dc.subject.classificationPsychobiology
dc.subject.classificationPsychology--Clinical
dc.subject.classificationPsychology--Behavioral
dc.subject.classificationHealth Care Management
dc.subject.classificationMental Health
dc.subject.classificationPublic Health
dc.subject.classificationRecreation
dc.titleExamining the Effects of an Outdoor Nature-Based Park Visit Program on the Behaviors, Mood, Quality of Life and Cognitive Symptoms of Individuals with Dementia and the Burden, Well-Being, and Support of Caregivers
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineMedicine – Neuroscience
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudentI do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.
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