A randomized controlled trial and pragmatic analysis of the effects of volunteering on the health and well-being of older people

Pettigrew, Simone; Jongenelis, Michelle; Jackson, Ben; Warburton, Jennifer; Newton, Robert U.

doi:10.1007/s40520-019-01241-3

Cited by 27 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…A study of an adult cohort aged over 65 years over a 5-year period demonstrated an ability of physical activity, at a frequency of three times a week, to improve learning and memory functioning by 42.3%, in addition to a 34% reduced risk of developing dementia [ 51 ]. Older adults have also demonstrated improvements in sit-to-stand and fast pace walking due to involvement in low-level volunteering [ 58 ], benefits that could also arise from Citizen Science activities. Whilst these benefits are associated with any form of physical activity, evidence suggests a rise in positive psychological reactions when undertaken within NEs [ 17 , 18 , 52 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Citizen Science programs could fall into this category as they can be socially engaging, with the potential to alleviate anxiety and promote better mental health, in addition to improving cognitive outcomes particularly among older participants [ 36 , 51 , 63 ]. Isolation from NEs and a reduction in diverse human contact associated with older age and reduced mobility is associated with elevated inflammatory markers including IL-6, and a dramatically reduced diversity of gut microbiota [ 11 , 21 ]; a finding of great concern in an ageing population [ 40 , 58 ]. Additionally, a limited social network is associated with a 60% increased risk of developing dementia within retired populations [ 51 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nature-Based Citizen Science as a Mechanism to Improve Human Health in Urban Areas

Williams

Burnell

Rogers

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The world is becoming increasingly urbanised, impacting human interactions with natural environments (NEs). NEs take a number of forms, ranging from pristine, modified, to built NEs, which are common in many urban areas. NEs may include nature-based solutions, such as introducing nature elements and biological processes into cities that are used to solve problems created by urbanisation. Whilst urbanisation has negative impacts on human health, impacting mental and physical wellbeing through a number of mechanisms, exposure to NEs may improve human health and wellbeing. Here, we review the mechanisms by which health can be improved by exposure to NEs, as explained by Stress Reduction Theory, Attention Restoration Theory, and the ‘Old Friends’/biodiversity hypothesis. Such exposures may have physiological and immunological benefits, mediated through endocrine pathways and altered microbiota. Citizen Science, which often causes exposure to NEs and social activity, is being increasingly used to not only collect scientific data but also to engage individuals and communities. Despite being a named component of scientific and environmental strategies of governments, to our knowledge, the intrinsic health benefits of Citizen Science in NEs do not form part of public health policy. We contend that Citizen Science programs that facilitate exposure to NEs in urban areas may represent an important public health policy advance.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-Based Citizen Science as a Mechanism to Improve Human Health in Urban Areas

Williams

Burnell

Rogers

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…The randomized controlled trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12615000091505) and adhered to CON-SORT guidelines. The present results represent secondary analyses of the data from this trial, with the results from primary analyses published in Pettigrew, Jongenelis, Jackson, Warburton, and Newton (2019). Using a parallel-group design, participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (i) a volunteering condition in which they were encouraged to engage in a minimum average of 60 min of formal volunteering per week during the 6month study period and (ii) a control condition in which they were encouraged to engage in their usual daily activities (however, due to the potential benefits of engaging in volunteering, those in the control condition were not asked to abstain from this activity during the study period).…”

Section: Methods Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Using a parallel-group design, participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (i) a volunteering condition in which they were encouraged to engage in a minimum average of 60 min of formal volunteering per week during the 6month study period and (ii) a control condition in which they were encouraged to engage in their usual daily activities (however, due to the potential benefits of engaging in volunteering, those in the control condition were not asked to abstain from this activity during the study period). As noted in Pettigrew et al (2019), a simple randomization method was adopted, with a researcher independent to the study using a computergenerated randomization script to determine the allocation sequence. Participants were allocated to condition upon recruitment, with allocation based on the next available condition in the sequence.…”

Section: Methods Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Attitudes to Volunteering Among Older Adults: A Randomized Trial Approach

et al. 2019

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Promoting engagement in formal volunteering represents a potential means of facilitating healthy aging. Given reluctance to participate in volunteering has been partially attributed to negative perceptions of various aspects of this activity, this study assessed whether trialing volunteering can improve perceptions among older people. Using a parallel-group design, Australians aged 60+ years ( n = 445) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions, one in which they were encouraged to trial volunteering and one in which they were asked to continue their usual activities. Perceptions and attitudes among those in the volunteering condition became significantly more favorable over 6 months relative to those in the control condition, with this change predicted by several aspects of the volunteering experience (e.g., acquisition of skills, increased social connectedness). Providing access to roles that cater to the learning and social needs of older adults appears to be important for improving attitudes toward engaging in volunteer work.

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“…on physical performance. 7 However, objective measures to quantize the environmental volunteering activities and the physical functions of volunteers are lacking. 1,6 Therefore, this study has 2 aims: to objectively measure the physical activity pattern of community environmental volunteering (CEV) and explore whether intensive CEV is related to better physical performance and a more active daily activity pattern than nonintensive CEV.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential Win-win Strategy for Healthy Aging and Environmental Protection: Environmental Volunteering

Hung¹,

Loh²,

Hsieh³

et al. 2021

Am J Health Promot

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Purpose To explore the physical activity level of community environmental volunteering (CEV) participants and the differences in physical functions and daily activity patterns between the older adults who engaged in intensive CEV (≥15 hours/week) and non-intensive CEV (<15 hours/week) groups. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Three recycling stations in Taiwan. Sample In total, 113 community-dwelling older adults who regularly participated in CEV. The response rate was 53%. Measures The ActiGraph wGT3x-BT accelerometer for the percentage of sedentary, light, and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of CEV time and awaken time; the Jamar hand dynamometer for grip strength; and the MicroFET3 muscle testing dynamometer for knee extension strength. Analysis Analysis of covariance with the baseline characteristics as covariates. Results Overall, MVPA, light, and sedentary activities accounted for 53.73%, 41.10%, and 5.23% of CEV time, respectively. The intensive group (n = 61) displayed greater dominant handgrip strength ( P = .004) and higher MVPA percentage in daily life ( P = .044) than the non-intensive group (n = 52). Conclusion CEV provides sufficient opportunities for older adults to perform physical activity. Intensive CEV is related to greater handgrip strength but not lower limb strength. Further study is needed to establish the causal relationship between CEV and health variates.

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A randomized controlled trial and pragmatic analysis of the effects of volunteering on the health and well-being of older people

Cited by 27 publications

References 47 publications

Nature-Based Citizen Science as a Mechanism to Improve Human Health in Urban Areas

Nature-Based Citizen Science as a Mechanism to Improve Human Health in Urban Areas

Improving Attitudes to Volunteering Among Older Adults: A Randomized Trial Approach

The Potential Win-win Strategy for Healthy Aging and Environmental Protection: Environmental Volunteering

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