NCT07059390

Concurrent Trials on Nature-Based Therapy for Inpatients in Dementia and Rehabilitation Medicine Wards

Changi General Hospital Complementary Health Therapy

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1,600 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Changi General Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years – 100 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Nature-based Therapy, such as forest bathing and horticultural therapy, has been shown to have physical, psychological and emotional health benefits. We posit that personalised and guided Nature-based Therapy, which leverages the benefits of therapeutic gardens in an urban hospital setting, improves the overall wellbeing of elderly inpatients with dementia (aged \>65 years old) and their caregivers, as well as patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. To determine the effectiveness of Nature-based Therapy for these two inpatient populations, we designed a pilot study, TGIF, to be conducted at the dementia and rehabilitation medicine wards at Changi General Hospital in Singapore.

Detailed description

TGIF consists of two concurrent trials targeting two patient populations: elderly inpatients with dementia admitted to the dementia ward, and inpatients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation at the rehabilitation wards in a tertiary teaching hospital in Singapore. At the dementia wards, we aim to determine if Nature-based Therapy improved the neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, restlessness and aggression among elderly inpatients living with cognitive impairment, defined as either delirium or dementia or both. Concurrent with the improved neuropsychiatric symptoms, the study team will also study the improved quality of life among the family, caregivers and hence reduced caregiver burden. At the rehabilitation medicine wards, we aim to determine if Nature-based Therapy improves mood, physical function, and quality of life.

Conditions

• Dementia
• Acquired Brain Injury Including Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Nature Immersion Therapy	During the length of inpatient stay at Changi General Hospital (CGH), which ranges from 5 to 10 days, the patients and caregivers will be enrolled for a set of 3 nature-based sessions. Each session will be conducted in groups of 4 to 6 patients incorporating a relational multi-sensory experience as well as mind-body connectedness while spending time in nature. Each of the 3 sessions will be 45 minutes each. The nature-based therapy/green social prescription plan will be conducted in groups guided by a trained CGH staff (Allied Health Professionals/Nurse). This Green social prescribing plan (Playbook) will be integrated into inpatient's care plan. Caregivers of the enrolled patients will also be part of the therapy group following the necessary consent.

Timeline

• Start date: 2027-05-01
• Primary completion: 2028-06-01
• Completion: 2028-08-01
• First posted: 2025-07-10
• Last updated: 2026-03-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Singapore