Studying Nature-Based Therapies to Support Stroke Rehabilitation in Hospital Patients

What this Trial Is About

This research evaluates the effects of nature-based therapies on patients undergoing stroke rehabilitation in a hospital ward. It aims to compare the outcomes of patients receiving additional outdoor therapy sessions with those performing conventional indoor rehabilitation tasks. The study is randomized and controlled, focusing on stroke rehabilitation, and monitors physical, psychological, and microbiological changes during the recovery process. Participants are randomly assigned in a 21 ratio to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group attends three therapy sessions per week outdoors, including individual visits with a research worker, group sessions, and sessions with a family member or volunteer. The control group is advised to perform simple indoor rehabilitation activities. Blood and microbiome samples are collected before the interventions and again after 4 weeks and 3 months post-discharge. Throughout the study, questionnaires assessing mood, quality of life, and functional deficits are administered at baseline, after 4 weeks, and 3 months after discharge. Physiological measures evaluate autonomic nerve function. The study also tracks mood and quality of life changes in participating family members. Primary outcomes focus on functional ability within 30 days, while secondary outcomes assess quality of life, rehabilitation impact, psychological effects, microbiome changes, and autonomic nervous system activity over up to 120 days.

Nature-based Therapies in Stroke Rehabilitation