Nature-based Intervention to Enhance Well-being

Education University of Hong Kong

Status: Completed

Conditions: Environmental Exposure; Mental Health Wellness 1; Health Behavior

Treatments: Behavioral: Structured Protocol of Nature Contact

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05276245

2019-2020-0191 (Other Identifier)

04465

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of a nature-based intervention on adaptive psychological functioning. We compared a structured protocol with a high level of nature engagement and involvement of multiple sensory processes with a waitlist control group. We expected that participants in the structured protocol of nature contact will report higher levels of mental health and more positive work-related functioning immediately and three months after the interventions.

Full description

This study aims to test the associations of nature contact with multiple dimensions of psychological functioning. A total of 90 university employees were randomly assigned to spend their lunch breaks on a (1) 30-minute structured protocol of nature contact and a (2) control group for 10 consecutive weekdays. Psychological distress, psychological well-being, and work-related psychological outcomes were assessed at baseline (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).

Enrollment: 90 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years or older
• Cantonese speaking
• Full-time employment of The Education University of Hong Kong

Exclusion criteria

• NA

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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90 participants in 2 patient groups

Program Group

Experimental group

Description:

This structured protocol was a 10-day nature-based program with high level of nature engagement and involvement of multiple sensory processes. The program was held in lunch breaks between 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. Each session consisted of 30 minutes in the Eco Garden of The Education University of Hong Kong. Activities of this program included walking, ecological photography, sketching butterflies, planting vegetables, drinking herbal tea, observing birds, and taking a nap in nature. Each activity corresponded to specific sensory pathways. For example, butterfly sketching is focused on the use of visual sense, whereas drinking herbal tea involved sense of taste, smell, and touch. Trainers with master's degrees in environmental education and rich experience in guiding ecological tours provided instructions and guidance to participants during the activities. Participants were also asked to pay attention to their surroundings and focus on their five senses during participation.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Structured Protocol of Nature Contact

Waitlist control group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants who were randomly assigned to the waitlist control group were instructed to spend their usual half-hour lunch break in the office for consecutive 10 weekdays. Also, the waitlist control group was told to wait for at least three months before they took part in the structured protocol of nature contact.