The Effects of Walking in Nature (vs. an Urban Setting) on the Wellbeing of Postsecondary Students.
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Active, not recruiting
- Sponsor
- McGill University
- Enrollment
- 80
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in baseline negative affect at 4 weeks
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effects of a walking intervention (3 walks per week for a period of 4 weeks) in a nature vs. urban setting on the wellbeing of young adult postsecondary students. We will examine changes in positive and negative affect for participants assigned to the nature condition vs those assigned to the urban condition (primary outcome). We will also examine changes in reported depression and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress levels, sleep quality, mindfulness and wellbeing (secondary outcome).
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- Single (Participant)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 25 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •aged 18-25 years
- •speaks English
- •had working smartphone that can track walk routes using a smartphone application
Exclusion Criteria
- •inability to walk for 45 minutes due to serious medical reasons (eg surgery)
- •heart condition
Arms & Interventions
Nature condition
Participants will walk in a nature setting 3x per week for a period of 4 weeks.
Intervention: A 4-week walking intervention (Behavioral)
Urban condition
Participants will walk in an urban setting 3x per week for a period of 4 weeks.
Intervention: A 4-week walking intervention (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in baseline negative affect at 4 weeks
Time Frame: 4 weeks (1x per week for 4 weeks)
Measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Total scores range from 10-50 for negative affect, with higher scores indicating higher levels of negative affect (a worse outcome).
Change in baseline positive affect at 4 weeks
Time Frame: 4 weeks (1x per week for 4 weeks)
Measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Total scores range from 10-50 for positive affect, with higher scores indicating higher levels of positive affect (a better outcome).
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in baseline anxiety symptoms at 5 weeks(5 weeks (1 week following completion of study intervention))
- Change in baseline perceived stress levels at 5 weeks(5 weeks (1 week following completion of study intervention))
- Change in baseline levels of wellbeing at 5 weeks(5 weeks (1 week following completion of study intervention))
- Change in baseline mindfulness at 5 weeks(5 weeks (1 week following completion of study intervention))
- Change in baseline depression symptoms at 5 weeks(5 weeks (1 week following completion of study intervention))
- Change in baseline sleep quality at 5 weeks(5 weeks (1 week following completion of study intervention))
- Change in baseline non-suicidal self-injury at 5 weeks(5 weeks (1 week following completion of study intervention))
Investigators
Marie-Claude Geoffroy
Dr Marie-Claude Geoffroy, assistant professor
McGill University