Mental and Physical Function Improvement through Lifestyle Modification: The Model of Environmental Protection Volunteer Project

Mental and Physical Function Improvement through Lifestyle Modification: The Model of Environmental Protection Volunteer Project

Objectives: The environmental protection volunteer (EPV) project comprises EPV activities and low-intensity aerobic environmental protection health exercise (EPHE). The project covered“three doing”components, i.e., cognitive enhancement, physical activity, and social network. In this study, we intended to evaluate the effect of real-world EPV projects on mean blood pressure (BP) variability, cognition, and psychophysiological functions in the elderly. Methods: Totally, 79 older adult volunteers were recruited from the community environmental protection station. They were divided into three groups (low participation frequency group [LPFG], middle participation frequency group [MPFG], and high participation frequency group [HPFG]) based on the participation frequency. All participants were evaluated three times using the measurements, including visit-to-visit BP, cognitive (Mini–Mental State Examination [MMSE] and clinical dementia rating) and psychophysiological function brief Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and suffering VAS. Results: There was a significant increase in the MMSE and a decrease in pain VAS after participating in the EPV activity (p < 0.05). The diastolic BP variability (BPV) was significantly decreased after the EPV project containing EPHE (p < 0.01). Those who participated in HPFG and MPFG showed a significant decrease in the brief GDS compared with LPFG (p < 0.01 at T2 and p < 0.05 at T3). Conclusion: Participating in the EPV project benefited cognitive function and reduced pain and BPV. In addition, engaging in the EPV project frequently as a daily routine may reduce depression levels.