Benefits of a Nature Walk vs. an Urban Walk in Reducing Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Study Among College Students
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 138
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Patient Health Questionnaire
研究概览
简要总结
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether outdoor walking in different environments-urban or natural-can reduce depressive symptoms among college students. The study also tests whether providing prompts for active engagement during nature walks enhances the benefits compared to unstructured nature walks.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) urban walk, (2) nature walk, or (3) active nature walk with guided interaction. Each participant will walk for 30 minutes, twice a week, for 3 weeks, complete questionnaires, and participate in interviews.
Our primary outcome (PHQ-9) will be used to test the following two primary hypotheses:
- Hypothesis 1: Participants in both nature walk conditions (combined) will show greater reductions in depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) than those in the urban walk group.
- Hypothesis 2: Participants in the active nature walk will show greater reductions than those in the regular nature walk.
详细描述
The investigators aim to compare how walking in different outdoor environments influences depressive symptoms among college students. Specifically, the investigators will assess:
- walking in an urban environment (like a busy city street),
- walking in a natural environment regularly (e.g., walking without specific guidance), and
- walking in a natural environment with guided interaction prompts (e.g., noticing birds, listening to sounds, touching flowers).
Standardized questionnaires will measure changes in depressive symptoms, anxiety, affect, cognitive flexibility, nature connection, and Presence across all three groups.
The investigators will also explore potential mechanisms behind any observed effects, including interaction patterns, presence, cognitive changes, and emotional responses to the different environments.
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
The participants were informed that the study was about outdoor walking interventions but were not told about the different groups.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •College students in Seattle
- •Aged over
- •Having depressive symptoms with self-rated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scored higher than
- •Normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity.
- •No identified hearing impairment.
- •No history of neurological or mental disorders.
排除标准
- •Receiving clinical psychiatric treatment or psychological counseling.
- •Failing in providing consent form.
研究组 & 干预措施
Urban Walk
Regular walks in an urban area, 30 minutes twice a week for 3 weeks.
干预措施: Urban Walk (Behavioral)
Nature Walk
Regular walks in a natural area, 30 minutes twice a week for 3 weeks.
干预措施: Nature Walk (Behavioral)
Active Nature Walk
Regular walks in a natural area, 30 minutes twice a week for 3 weeks. Prior to the walk, participants will be instructed to actively interact with the natural environment.
干预措施: Active Nature Walk (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Patient Health Questionnaire
时间窗: Right before the first walking session, immediately after the sixth walking session, and one month after the sixth walking session.
Patient Health Questionnaire measures the severity of depressive symptoms. It includes nine items that evaluate symptoms such as persistent sad, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, fatigue, and lack of energy. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms of depression.
次要结局
- Presence Scale(Immediately after each walking session.)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale(Right before the first walking session, immediately after the sixth walking session, and one month after the sixth walking session.)
- Positive and Negative Affect Scale(Right before the first walking session, immediately after the sixth walking session, and one month after the sixth walking session.)
- Cognitive Flexibility Inventory(Right before the first walking session, immediately after the sixth walking session, and one month after the sixth walking session.)
- Extended Inclusion of Nature in Self scale(Right before the first walking session, immediately after the sixth walking session, and one month after the sixth walking session.)
研究者
Xuanyi Wang
PhD Student, Department of Psychology
University of Washington