Effects of Nature-based Group Intervention on Cognition and Nature Connectedness Among Lonely Older Adults Living in Assisted Living Facilities—Secondary Analyses of an RCT

KH Pitkala; UL Aalto; LJ Rautiainen; H Kautiainen; A Kolster; ML Laakkonen; T Partonen; HM Roitto; S Puntscher; U Rochau; U Siebert; A Bartova; I Holmerova; L Coll-Planas; JS Litt; TE Strandberg; AH Jansson; B Novotna; M Masó-Aguado; L Briones-Buixassa; V Papon; N Opacin; G Garcia; L Cattaneo

Journal article

Effects of Nature-based Group Intervention on Cognition and Nature Connectedness Among Lonely Older Adults Living in Assisted Living Facilities—Secondary Analyses of an RCT

KH Pitkala, UL Aalto, LJ Rautiainen, H Kautiainen, A Kolster, ML Laakkonen, T Partonen, HM Roitto, S Puntscher, U Rochau, U Siebert, A Bartova, I Holmerova, L Coll-Planas, JS Litt, TE Strandberg, AH Jansson, B Novotna, M Masó-Aguado, L Briones-Buixassa Show all

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association | Published : 2026

DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2026.106203

Open access

Abstract

Objectives Nature experiences shared in peer groups according to the “Friends in Nature” (FiN) intervention in assisted living facilities (ALFs) reduced lonely participants’ loneliness. Here we explored the effects of the FiN intervention of the H2020 RECETAS project on changes in the secondary outcomes of cognition, nature connectedness, and self-efficacy. Design A randomized, controlled trial. Setting and Participants Older adults suffering from loneliness and living in ALFs. Methods Lonely, older adults from 22 ALFs in Helsinki, Finland, were randomized into (1) FiN group intervention once a week for 9 weeks (n = 162) or (2) usual care (n = 157). Participants were assessed at baseline and..

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