The Effects of Nature-Based Activity vs. Indoor Exercise on Cognition, Psychological, and Physiological Health

University of Reading

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Psychological Well Being; Cognitive Performance

Treatments: Behavioral: Passive Nature Engagement; Behavioral: Indoor Exercise; Behavioral: Active Nature Engagement

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07056634

UoRM REC 2025/05

FRGS/1/2023/SS09/READING/03/1 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the comparative effects of nature-based versus indoor exercise interventions on cognitive performance, psychological well-being, and physiological stress in Malaysian adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) active nature engagement (walking outdoors), (2) passive nature engagement (seated outdoor observation), (3) indoor treadmill walking, or (4) a no-intervention control group. The study will examine changes in attention, working memory, affect, blood pressure, body composition, and salivary cortisol across baseline, mid-point, and post-intervention assessments.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults (≥18 years old)
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
• Normal or corrected-to-normal hearing
• Physically fit - able to walk unassisted for at least 30 minutes

Exclusion criteria

• Participants with limited mobility that prevents outdoor activities
• Participants who do not have adequate comprehension in English necessary to participate in measurement of outcomes

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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60 participants in 4 patient groups

Active Nature Engagement

Experimental group

Description:

Outdoor walking in a designated urban park, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, 30 minutes/session

Treatment:

Behavioral: Active Nature Engagement

Passive Nature Engagement

Experimental group

Description:

Sitting quietly and observing nature, with grounding exercise, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, 30 minutes/session

Treatment:

Behavioral: Passive Nature Engagement

Indoor Exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

Treadmill walking indoors under controlled conditions, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, 30 minutes/session

Treatment:

Behavioral: Indoor Exercise

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

No exposure to intervention between baseline and post-test