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.