Agricultural activities maintain vigor and plant-based protein intake in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A feasibility study

This study explored the feasibility of agricultural activities for older adults with type 2 diabetes and the psychological and nutritional effects of the activities. Nine adults over 65 years of age, capable of performing agricultural activities without assistance were randomly assigned to two groups in a crossover design. Participants engaged in one-hour morning agricultural activities at the Kyoto University farm once a week for 15 weeks (July-November). The Wilcoxon rank-sum test compared Δ values, representing changes from baseline to follow-up, between control and intervention years. Six participants (three each group) completed the protocol. After the assignment of nine, one participant withdrew, and two others were unable to participate in any agricultural activities due to busy schedules. The procedures were performed safely and no adverse events were reported. Vigor/Activity scores of the Profile of Mood States (POMS-VA) indicated significantly maintained vigor in the intervention year; the median Δ POMS-VA was -13 in the control year and 2 in the intervention year ( P = 0.01). The Brief-type Self-administered Diet History Questionnaire (BDHQ) suggested that plant-based protein intake was better maintained in the intervention year compared with the control year. Weekly agricultural activities for older adults with type 2 diabetes showed potential as a therapeutic option, warranting further investigation in a larger and more diverse populations of older patients.