Outdoor Walks for Depression

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Peter H Kahn, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Washington

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric treatment, Counseling, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 3 weeks

180 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if walking outside can reduce depression in college students. It compares walking in urban settings, nature, and nature walks with guided activities to identify the most effective approach. Participants will walk for 30 minutes twice a week for three weeks and share their experiences through questionnaires and interviews. The trial seeks college students in Seattle who experience signs of depression, such as persistent sadness or loss of interest, and who are not currently receiving psychiatric treatment. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for students to explore natural methods of improving mental health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes those receiving clinical psychiatric treatment or psychological counseling.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that walking in nature can improve mood and reduce stress. Some studies suggest it might also help with depression, although results can vary.

Active nature walks, which involve interacting with surroundings, might offer even more benefits. Evidence indicates that walking can significantly help with depression.

Both types of nature walks are generally safe and easy to do, with no major risks reported. For those who enjoy being outdoors, these activities could be a safe way to boost mood. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these outdoor walking regimens for depression because they offer a natural, side-effect-free alternative to traditional treatments like antidepressants and therapy. Unlike standard approaches, these methods emphasize the mental health benefits of both nature exposure and physical activity. The trial is exploring three variations: leisurely nature walks, urban walks, and active nature walks that encourage interaction with the environment. By comparing these approaches, researchers hope to determine whether the setting or the act of interacting with nature enhances mood more effectively, potentially offering new, accessible options for managing depression.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing depressive symptoms?

This trial will compare different types of outdoor walks for their effects on depression. Research has shown that walking in nature can improve mental health, particularly for those with depression and anxiety. Participants may be assigned to a Nature Walk, involving regular walks in a natural area, or an Urban Walk, involving walks in an urban area. Studies have found that walking in natural settings can reduce symptoms of depression more effectively than walking in urban areas. Additionally, some participants will engage in an Active Nature Walk, actively interacting with the natural environment, such as touching plants or listening to birds, which some research suggests might enhance the benefits. However, the effects on depression can vary, so more research is needed to fully understand them. Overall, walking in nature seems to positively impact mood and mental well-being. ^{3 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Xuanyi Wang

Principal Investigator

University of Washington

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for college students experiencing depression. Participants will be randomly placed into one of three groups to take part in different types of outdoor walks: urban, nature, or active nature with guided interaction. They must commit to walking twice a week for 30 minutes over three weeks and complete surveys and interviews.

Inclusion Criteria

Having depressive symptoms with self-rated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scored higher than 5

College students in Seattle

No identified hearing impairment

Exclusion Criteria

Failing in providing consent form

I am currently receiving mental health treatment.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in walking sessions in different environments (urban, nature, active nature) for 30 minutes, twice a week for 3 weeks

3 weeks

6 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and other psychological measures

4 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Outdoor Walks

Trial Overview The study aims to see if walking outdoors can lessen depressive symptoms in students. It compares the effects of walking in an urban setting versus nature, and also tests if interactive prompts during nature walks provide additional benefits.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Nature Walk Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Regular walks in a natural area, 30 minutes twice a week for 3 weeks.

Group II: Active Nature Walk Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

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.

Group III: Urban Walk Active Control 1 Intervention

Regular walks in an urban area, 30 minutes twice a week for 3 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Washington

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,858

Recruited

2,023,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9206539/

Effects of Outdoor Walking on Positive and Negative Affect The present study aimed at comparing the effects of walking in a natural or urban field setting on positive and negative affect.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827321002093

Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical ... Random effects meta-analysis of RCTs showed that NBIs were effective for improving depressive mood −0.64 (95% CI: 1.05 to −0.23), reducing anxiety −0.94 (95% CI ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06989801

Benefits of Outdoor Walks in Reducing Depressive ... The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether outdoor walking in different environments-urban or natural-can reduce depressive symptoms among ...

4. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-023-05112-z

Effectiveness of nature-based walking interventions in ... The evidence from this systematic review suggests that nature-based walking interventions can indeed improve adults' moods, sense of optimism, mental well- ...

5. publichealth.jmir.org publichealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e48355/

The Effect of Walking on Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms This study found that both outdoor walking and indoor walking were effective in alleviating depression and anxiety, which is consistent with ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8125471/

Associations between Nature Exposure and Health We found evidence for associations between nature exposure and improved cognitive function, brain activity, blood pressure, mental health, physical activity, ...

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/7/4015

Effect of Nature Walks on Depression and Anxiety These studies demonstrated that nature walks were effective for state anxiety but not generalized anxiety and the effects for depression were inconsistent.

8. apa.org apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature

Nurtured by nature Exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and ...