Effectiveness of Nature Walks in Depressed Adults

McGill University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Experimental

Treatments: Behavioral: Walking in nature setting; Behavioral: Walking in Urban setting

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03996785

IUSMD-18-33

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 47 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women aged between 18 and 65 years, inclusively;
• Ability to speak French or English;
• Diagnosis major depressive disorder (DSM-IV);

Exclusion criteria

• 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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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47 participants in 2 patient groups

Urban

Active Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Walking in Urban setting

Nature

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Walking in nature setting