Investigations of Immediate and Short-term Effects of Nature Walks on Stress and Depression-related Symptoms
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 47
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Change in affect from baseline up to 48 hours post-walk
研究概览
简要总结
Over the past few years, a growing number of campaigns from around the world, including Canada, are highlighting the positive impact of spending time in nature on well-¬being. Indeed, mounting evidence suggests that spending time with nature is associated with a myriad of affective and cognitive benefits. Surprisingly few studies to date have tested the assumption that walking in nature versus in urban settings could alleviate stress and depressive symptoms in clinically depressed adults.
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of walking in nature versus in urban settings to improve depression related symptoms and reduce stress. The trial initially included 2 primary outcomes: patients stress levels (salivary cortisol) and depression-related symptoms (eg, affect, rumination, executive functioning).
However, due to hygienic concerns in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the collection of saliva samples (and in turn, the measurement of stress levels via salivary cortisol) was removed from the study's procedure. The main outcome was changed to effects on positive and negative affect.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Supportive Care
- 盲法
- Single (Participant)
盲法说明
Participants were unaware as to whether they were assigned to an urban or nature walking condition
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 65 Years（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Men and women aged between 18 and 65 years, inclusively;
- •Ability to speak French or English;
- •Diagnosis major depressive disorder (DSM-IV);
排除标准
- •Acute psychotic symptoms;
- •Acute suicidal intent (within 48 hours);
- •Unable to walk for 60 min or serious medical reasons (e.g. major surgery)
- •Heart condition as per history or detected on electrocardiogram
研究组 & 干预措施
Urban
Patients will go for a silent 60-minute walk in an urban setting. The walk will take place in the months of June, July, August and September between 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Participants will walk in groups of two to three participants accompanied by two research assistants trained in mental health (doctoral students in psychology). The urban walk will be located on Boulevard de la Vérendrye with large arteries with three to four lanes.
干预措施: Walking in Urban setting (Behavioral)
Nature
Patients will go for a silent 60-minute walk in a nature park setting. The walk will take place in the months of June, July, August and September between 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Participants will walk in groups of two to three participants accompanied by two research assistants trained in mental health (doctoral students in psychology).
The nature walk will take place at Parc Angrignon, an area of 96 hectares, one of Montreal's largest green and biodiverse spaces with a forest of 20 000 trees and a pond surrounded by willow trees.
干预措施: Walking in nature setting (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Change in affect from baseline up to 48 hours post-walk
时间窗: Day 1 to Day 3
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)
次要结局
- Change in suicidal Ideations(Day 1)
- Change in irritability(Day 1 to Day 3)
- Change in depressive symptoms(Day 1 to Day 2)
- Change in Executive Functions(The Stroop test will be administered at 2 time points: 1) before the walk (between 9:45-10:30); 2) after the walk (between 11:30-11:50))
- Change in rumination(Day 1)
研究者
Marie-Claude Geoffroy
Assistant professor
McGill University