Urban care farming for older adults: a mixed-method feasibility and acceptability study.

OBJECTIVE: Ageing increases the risk of age-related diseases, but interventions promoting physical fitness, emotional well-being, and social participation can mitigate these risks. Urban care farming (UCF), which uses therapeutic farming in natural settings, shows promise for healthy ageing. This feasibility study assessed the feasibility of the UCF intervention by evaluating the acceptability and adherence of UCF by participants and trainers, implementation fidelity, and outcome measures. METHODS: This feasibility study used a single-arm pre-post design, which recruited 20 older adults (50-85) in Singapore for an 8-week UCF intervention in January 2024. Weekly 3-h sessions held in an estate in Central Singapore focused on farming activities such as planting, teamwork, and nutrition. Participants' recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and experiences of change were tracked alongside trainers' adherence to the intervention protocol. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and follow-up and assessed for reliability and effect sizes. Interviews were thematically analysed to provide deeper insights. RESULTS: Participants and trainers responded positively to the intervention. Recruitment reached 80%, with 95% participant retention post-intervention and an overall attendance rate of 88%, reflecting strong acceptance of the programme. Qualitative findings further supported these results, indicating that UCF activities fostered experiences of personal change, a sense of achievement, and community connectedness through social support and friendships. Implementation fidelity was maintained, though challenges such as unpredictable weather affected delivery and necessitated adjustments to certain curriculum components for the main trial. The assessed outcomes demonstrated reliable, moderate effect sizes for perceived stress, anxiety, and social isolation; however, the EQ-5D quality of life measure will be replaced due to its small effect size. CONCLUSION: The UCF feasibility study was well received by older participants and trainers. Despite the small sample, outcomes demonstrated reliable, meaningful effects on well-being, guiding the design of the main waitlist-controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.