Testing a Nature-based Social Intervention on Loneliness: the RECETAS-BCN Trial

RECETAS (Re-imagining Environments for Connection and Engagement: Testing Actions for Social Prescribing in Natural Spaces) is an European project (H2020 No 945095) that aims to reduce loneliness by linking lonely people to nature-based social activities through a group-based intervention. Background: Loneliness is the perception of feeling alone, even if surrounded by people. Nature-based experiences can facilitate dynamic processes of social interactions and it can reduce feelings of loneliness. RECETAS aims design and test a nature-based social intervention (NBSI) that is group-based and includes access to nature as a main component. The testing will be conducted in six different cities: Barcelona, Helsinki, Prague, Marseille, Cuenca in Ecuador and Melbourne. If successful, this will provide an evidence-based approach for using social prescribing to address loneliness. Hypothesis: NBSI in vulnerable people suffering from loneliness is more effective than usual social and health care on reducing loneliness at post-intervention (10 weeks), 6- and 12-months follow up. Objectives: to assess the effectiveness of a 10-week NBSI on loneliness in vulnerable people in the area of Barcelona suffering from it compared to usual social and health care at post-intervention, and at 6-, and 12-months post-randomization. We will also explore the processes and perceived impacts of the intervention. A pilot study will be conducted (September-December 2022) before the RCT intervention (January 2023) with the aim to explore the feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures, including the primary and secondary outcome measures. Methods: The study design is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) including a process evaluation based on Medical Health Council guidance, a nested qualitative study and a Health Economics evaluation. The recruitment will be coordinated and operationalized with Community Development Plans (CDP). Individuals will be recruited from primary care settings, third-sector organizations, community groups, and volunteer organisations who screen for loneliness. A total of 316 participants will be randomly allocated in two arms after the baseline assessment: NBSI treatment and control arms. All of them will be asked to sign the informed consent form. The intervention model is adapted from the \"Circle of Friends\" methodology developed by the University of Helsinki (Jansson A, Pitkälä KH, 2021).