Physical Activity and WellbeingGHIANCT03575923
Evaluating the Impact of Improvements in Urban Green Space on Older Adults' Physical Activity and Wellbeing: a Natural Experimental Study
An observational study of Physical Activity and Wellbeing, run by University of Manchester at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Physical Activity and Wellbeing
- What is being tested?
- Urban street greening
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- How many people
- 1,200 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 4 Sep 2017to 21 Sep 2018
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
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.
Who may be able to join
- ° All individuals (infants, children, teens, adults, older adults) entering the target area during observation periods
Who cannot join
- ° Any individuals that request their data to be removed from the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United Kingdom1 site
Greater Manchester
Multiple Locations, Greater Manchester, Various
About this study
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
- Being tested
- Urban street greening
- Keywords
- Physical activity, Wellbeing, Urban green space, Older adults, Natural experiment, Protocol, GHIA
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Urban street greeningBehavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention site 1 | 2 planted trees; bulb planting Receives: Behavioral: Urban street greening | |
| Comparison site 1A | Not described | |
| Comparison site 1B | Not described | |
| Intervention site 2 | 12 planted trees; bulb planting; artificial tree decorations (string lights) Receives: Behavioral: Urban street greening | |
| Comparison site 2A | Not described | |
| Comparison site 2B | Not described | |
| Intervention site 3 | 3 planted trees; artificial tree decorations (string lights, tree socks) Receives: Behavioral: Urban street greening | |
| Comparison site 3A | Not described | |
| Comparison site 3B | Not described | |
| Intervention site 4 | 8 planted trees; bulb planting; artificial tree decorations (string lights, tree socks) Receives: Behavioral: Urban street greening | |
| Comparison site 4A | Not described | |
| Comparison site 4B | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 12 months
Secondary outcomes (3)
Take Notice behaviour
The investigators will also assess a count per observation period of Take Notice behaviour at 6 months.
Measured: 6 months
Overall count of older adults
The secondary outcome will be the overall count of older adults per observation period.
Measured: 6 months
Overall count of older adults
The secondary outcome will be the overall count of older adults per observation period.
Measured: 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Jul 2018
- Study start4 Sep 2017
- Primary completion21 Sep 2018
- Study completion21 Sep 2018
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Physical Activity and WellbeingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of ManchesterThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 1,200 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Manchester
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jack Benton, University of Manchester
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03575923
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NE/N013530/1
- Acronym
- GHIA
- Status last verified
- Mar 2020
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2018
- Last updated
- 24 Mar 2020
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: There are no individual participant data
Publications
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.
PubMed 30053861
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Mar 2020. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluating the Impact of Improvements in Urban Green Space on Older Adults' Physical Activity and Wellbeing: a Natural Experimental Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03575923
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- GHIA / NE/N013530/1
- Conditions
- Physical Activity and Wellbeing
- Keywords
- Physical activity, Wellbeing, Urban green space, Older adults, Natural experiment, Protocol, GHIA
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 1,200 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ManchesterUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Sep 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 21 Sep 2018 (actual)
- Study completion
- 21 Sep 2018 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Jul 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 12
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention site 1 | – | Behavioral: Urban street greening2 planted trees; bulb planting |
| Comparison site 1A | – | – |
| Comparison site 1B | – | – |
| Intervention site 2 | – | Behavioral: Urban street greening12 planted trees; bulb planting; artificial tree decorations (string lights) |
| Comparison site 2A | – | – |
| Comparison site 2B | – | – |
| Intervention site 3 | – | Behavioral: Urban street greening3 planted trees; artificial tree decorations (string lights, tree socks) |
| Comparison site 3A | – | – |
| Comparison site 3B | – | – |
| Intervention site 4 | – | Behavioral: Urban street greening8 planted trees; bulb planting; artificial tree decorations (string lights, tree socks) |
| Comparison site 4A | – | – |
| Comparison site 4B | – | – |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- 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.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- ° All individuals (infants, children, teens, adults, older adults) entering the target area during observation periods
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- ° Any individuals that request their data to be removed from the study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Urban street greeningThe 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. | Behavioural | Intervention site 1, Intervention site 2, Intervention site 3, Intervention site 4 |
Primary outcome
Take Notice behaviour
Time frame: 12 months
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.
3 secondary outcomes
Take Notice behaviour
Time frame: 6 months
Overall count of older adults
Time frame: 6 months
Overall count of older adults
Time frame: 12 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Mar 2020.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 30053861Benton 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.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. There are no individual participant data
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Physical Activity and Wellbeing, run by University of Manchester at 1 site in United Kingdom.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Mar 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Take Notice behaviour (time frame: 12 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03575923, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Mar 2020; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.