Can Nature-based Physical Activity Improve Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety?
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Kansas State University
- Enrollment
- 60
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Participation in walk-and-talk therapy
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This project will examine changes in depression and anxiety following a 10-week intervention promoting nature-based physical activity in mental health settings. We will recruit ten licensed therapists whose caseload includes adults with depression and anxiety. Following a training by our team, each participating therapist will recruit six clients, who will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. Clients in the intervention condition will engage in walk-and-talk therapy outdoors during weekly sessions and discuss strategies for being active outdoors on their own. We will assess changes in depression, anxiety, and nature-based physical activity in both groups.
Detailed Description
For this project, we will recruit ten licensed therapists whose caseload includes adults with depression and anxiety. We aim to recruit therapists who practice in northeast Kansas. Our team will lead a 3-hour in-person training for participating therapists that covers project aims and procedures, benefits of nature-based physical activity for mental health, identifying and enrolling suitable clients for participation, recommending and engaging in nature-based physical activity with clients, and completing project assessments.
Following the training, each therapist will recruit six clients aged 18-65 who are willing to participate in a 10-week research study and meet the following criteria: 1) diagnosed depressive or anxiety disorder, 2) able to safely engage in moderate physical activity, and 3) willing to complete all research requirements. Clients who are part of an underrepresented minority group (i.e., racial/ethnic minority, low SES, LGTBQ) will be prioritize during recruitment. Therapists will invite eligible clients to participate in the study, and those who agree will sign an informed consent document. Clients will be randomly assigned to the intervention or active waitlist control (usual care) condition. All participants will receive a Fitbit and download the NatureDose app. During the 10-week intervention, clients and therapists will engage in walk-and-talk therapy outdoors in natural settings during weekly therapy sessions. In addition, therapists will work with clients to set realistic goals for increased nature-based physical activity outside of the therapy setting. Therapists will check in with clients weekly regarding their progress and assist with goal revision, barrier planning, and self-monitoring. Control participants will receive information about nature-based physical activity, and then will receive the full intervention after 10 weeks.
All participating clients will complete surveys assessing depression and anxiety symptoms at baseline (following informed consent) and at the end of the 10-week intervention. Throughout the 10-week intervention, therapists will keep a weekly log of frequency and duration of walk-and talk sessions. Clients will also keep a weekly log of nature-based physical activity, use the NatureDose app to measure time spent in nature each day, and wear a Fitbit to track their daily physical activity. At the end of the intervention, clients will complete a brief satisfaction survey, and therapists will complete an individual interview with the research team.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Current client of a participating therapist who has completed study training
- •Diagnosed depressive or anxiety disorder
- •Able to safely engage in moderate physical activity
- •Willing to complete all study requirements
Exclusion Criteria
- •Planning to discontinue therapy in less than 6 months
- •Active suicidal ideation
- •Does not pass exercise risk screener
Arms & Interventions
Intervention (immediate start)
Participants will engage in walk-and-talk therapy during weekly sessions with their therapist and will set goals for engaging in nature-based physical activity on their own outside of therapy.
Intervention: Walk-and-talk therapy (Behavioral)
Waitlist control
Participants will receive generic educational materials about nature-based physical activity and local parks.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Participation in walk-and-talk therapy
Time Frame: Weekly throughout the 10-week intervention
Therapists will keep logs of weekly attendance and participation in walk-and-talk therapy during sessions. Outcome will be calculated as a percentage of offered sessions.
Perceived therapist support for nature-based physical activity
Time Frame: End of intervention (after 10 weeks)
Participating clients will complete a survey indicating how frequently their therapist asks about physical activity, recommends physical activity, engages in physical activity with the client, etc.
Acceptability
Time Frame: End of intervention (after 10 weeks)
At the end of the intervention, clients will complete a survey indicating how much the discussions/sessions were helpful, enjoyable, informative, etc.
Secondary Outcomes
- Self-efficacy for physical activity(baseline, 10 weeks)
- Self-efficacy for time in nature(baseline, 10 weeks)
- Physical activity(Weekly throughout the 10-week intervention)
- Time in nature(Weekly throughout the 10-week intervention)
Investigators
Emily Mailey
Associate Professor
Kansas State University