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Outdoor swimming as a nature-based intervention for depressio

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Depression
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Registration Number
ISRCTN90851983
Lead Sponsor
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Brief Summary

2023 Protocol article in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37443045/ (added 17/07/2023)

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Completed
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
88
Inclusion Criteria

1. Participants give fully informed consent to participate
2. Mild and moderate severity depression, as determined by the PHQ-9 (scores 5 -19)
3. Self-reported ability to swim a minimum distance:
3.1. For sea (50 m, 2 lengths of a normal swimming pool)
3.2. Lake (25 m, 1 length of a normal swimming pool) locations
3.3. No swimming experience required for outdoor unheated swimming pool (lido)
4. Adults aged 18 years or older

Exclusion Criteria

1. People wishing to participate in a sea location who are not able to swim 50 m (2 lengths) in an indoor or fully heated outdoor pool
2. People wishing to participate in a lake location who are not able to swim 25 m (1 length) in an indoor or fully heated outdoor pool
3. Currently under the care of a secondary mental health NHS service
4. Risk of suicide or recent suicidal intent or attempts or self-harm requiring medical treatment
5. Other mental health problems to a severe degree
6. History of cardiac abnormalities (e.g., ischaemic heart disease/angina and congestive heart failure)
7. Immediate (first degree) relative history of cardiac events (GP consultation will be required for inclusion)
8. Respiratory conditions triggered by cold
9. Coldwater urticaria (a skin reaction to cold that appears within minutes after cold exposure)
10. Non-freezing cold injuries/Raynaud’s
11. Not able to speak English to a level that would enable them to understand safety instructions

Study & Design

Study Type
Interventional
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
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