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Can the Belgian Coastal Environment Improve Physical and Cognitive Health in Older Adults?
Sponsor: University Ghent
Summary
The goal of this interventional study is to learn if exposure to coastal environments improves the physical and cognitive health of older adults over the age of 60. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does coastal exposure affect physical stress levels in older adults? Does coastal exposure affect self-reported stress levels in older adults? Does coastal exposure affect cognitive measures, such as sustained attention, in older adults? Does coastal exposure affect sleep quality in older adults? Is there a difference between the various components of coastal environments (e.g. dykes, dunes,...) in their effect on older adults' physical stress? This wil be a within-subject study, in which participants get exposed to both a coastal and an urban environment to compare their response to these environments. Participants will perform a coastal and urban walk on different days, equipped with wearable sensors (namely a wrist- and chestband) to measure various parameters such as heart rate and skin conductivity. Before, during and after the walk saliva samples will be collected for cortisol analysis. Before and after the walks they will also answer some questions (on e.g. overall demographics but also self-reported mental health) and perform cognitive tests (to study e.g. sustained attention).
Official title: Can the Belgian Coastal Environment Boost Physical and Cognitive Health in Older Adults?
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2024-09-25
Completion Date
2027-12-31
Last Updated
2025-07-23
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Coastal exposure
This is a "real-life" exposure to the coastal environment, in which participants walk to a bench, sit there for 15 minutes, followed by a walk of approximately 30 minutes. After the 15 minute sitting period, a saliva sample is collected. During the walk, participants are equipped with wearable sensors. The walking route is indicated on a map.
Urban exposure
This is a "real-life" exposure to the urban environment, in which participants walk to a bench, sit there for 15 minutes, followed by a walk of approximately 30 minutes. After the 15 minute sitting period, a saliva sample is collected. During the walk, participants are equipped with wearable sensors. The walking route is indicated on a map.
Locations (1)
Ghent University
Ghent, Belgium