The Effects of Walking in Nature (vs. an Urban Setting) on the Wellbeing of Postsecondary Students.

McGill University

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Depressive Symptoms; Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms; Non-suicidal Self-injury; Wellness, Psychological; Affect; Sleep; Stress

Treatments: Behavioral: A 4-week walking intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05889078

IUSMD-18-33 Phase 2

Details and patient eligibility

About

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).

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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80 participants in 2 patient groups

Nature condition

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will walk in a nature setting 3x per week for a period of 4 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: A 4-week walking intervention

Urban condition

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will walk in an urban setting 3x per week for a period of 4 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: A 4-week walking intervention