Nature Exposure for Mental Health

No longer recruiting at 8 trial locations

Overseen By Angela M Resseguie, EdD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Michigan State University

Disqualifiers: Not undergraduate, Age, Distance

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

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how spending more time in nature, through nature-based interventions, can boost mental health, particularly for students of color. Researchers aim to determine if outdoor activities can address stress and anxiety, common issues among young adults today. Participants will either receive general health information or both information and encouragement to spend more time outdoors, with a chance to win a prize. The trial seeks undergraduate students living within 30 miles of their campus. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance students' mental well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that nature-based interventions are safe for mental health?

Research has shown that spending time in nature is generally safe and manageable. Studies indicate that being outdoors can lift mood and improve mental health and emotional well-being. Activities like gardening, exercising in green spaces, and nature-based therapy enhance mental health in adults.

One study found that green spaces can help protect the mental health of disadvantaged groups. This suggests that spending more time in nature is not only safe but also beneficial for mental health. No reports have indicated serious negative effects from simply being outside more. Thus, participating in a trial to spend more time in nature is likely safe. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about increasing time in nature as a treatment for mental health because it offers a non-invasive and natural way to potentially improve well-being. Unlike traditional treatments for mental health that often rely on medication or therapy, this approach encourages a direct interaction with the natural environment, which may have unique restorative benefits. Additionally, the inclusion of incentives to motivate people to spend more time outdoors is a novel strategy that could enhance participation and engagement, potentially leading to better mental health outcomes. This trial aims to uncover whether simply spending more time in nature can be a powerful tool for supporting mental health, offering an accessible option with minimal side effects.

What evidence suggests that increasing time in nature might be an effective treatment for poor mental health?

Research has shown that spending more time in nature can improve mental health. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will receive incentives to increase their time outdoors, along with standard health information. Studies have found that natural settings can reduce depression and anxiety while boosting mood and hopefulness. For instance, one review found that activities in nature enhance mental well-being and optimism. Evidence also suggests that walking in nature lifts mood and fosters positivity. Overall, being outdoors and connecting with nature supports better mental health and well-being. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The Nature IDEAS Study is for students of color who are experiencing mental health issues. It aims to explore the therapeutic benefits of spending more time in nature, particularly on college campuses. The study will include participants from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and a Hispanic-serving institution.

Inclusion Criteria

I am an 18-24 year old undergrad at one of the specified universities, living within 30 miles of campus.

Exclusion Criteria

Not an undergraduate student in one of the included universities

Live further than 30 miles from the university campus

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline surveys on nature connectedness, belongingness, mental health, and demographics. NatureDose™ app data is collected over a 2-week baseline period.

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person) for baseline surveys

Intervention

Participants are randomized to receive either standard health information or additional incentives to increase time outdoors. App data continues to be collected.

2 weeks

1 visit (virtual) for follow-up surveys

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in nature connectedness, belongingness, and mental health through final surveys.

4 weeks

1 visit (virtual) for final surveys

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Increasing time in nature

Trial Overview This trial is testing whether increasing exposure to natural environments can improve mental health among young adults, especially students of color. It involves a multi-state intervention that seeks to quantify nature exposure and assess its impact on well-being during the current youth mental health crisis.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Control group receiving standard health information Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will receive information about health benefits in nature.

Group II: Intervention Group receiving standard health information + incentives to increase time outdoors Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will receive information on the health benefits of time outdoors, a request to increase their time outdoors, eligibility to receive a prize, and information on peer performance.

Increasing time in nature is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Nature-based interventions for:

• Mental health improvement
• Anxiety reduction
• Depression management

Approved in European Union as Green space therapy for:

• Stress reduction
• Emotional wellbeing
• Social isolation prevention

Approved in Canada as Outdoor activities for mental health for:

• Improved mood
• Reduced symptoms of ADHD
• Enhanced cognitive function

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Michigan State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

202

Recruited

687,000+

University of Virginia

Collaborator

Trials

802

Recruited

1,342,000+

Cleveland State University

Collaborator

Trials

14

Recruited

3,500+

University of Maryland

Collaborator

Trials

171

Recruited

325,000+

Clemson University

Collaborator

Trials

38

Recruited

8,200+

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

1,500+

Morgan State University

Collaborator

Trials

7

Recruited

5,600+

University of New Mexico

Collaborator

Trials

393

Recruited

3,526,000+

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,500+

REI Cooperative Action Fund

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

1,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving 11 mental health service users and a survey of 1791 participants found that spending time in green and blue spaces significantly improves mental wellbeing, especially for those with mental health issues.

Barriers such as safety concerns, social anxiety, and lack of motivation hinder outdoor access for individuals with mental health problems, highlighting the need for public mental health interventions that address these challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

'Lifts your spirits, lifts your mind': A co-produced mixed-methods exploration of the benefits of green and blue spaces for mental wellbeing. McCartan, C., Davidson, G., Bradley, L., et al.[2023]

A brief 6-minute exposure to a virtual woodland nature video significantly improved mental wellbeing in adolescents, enhancing self-reported outcomes like stress reduction, relaxation, and mood compared to a busy train journey.

The study suggests that virtual nature interventions are feasible and acceptable, making them a promising option for mental health support, especially for those with limited access to real nature or time constraints.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of brief exposure to virtual nature on mental wellbeing in adolescents. Owens, M., Bunce, H.[2023]

Green social prescribing, which involves nature-based activities, has been shown to improve biopsychosocial wellbeing in community-living adults with mental illness, based on a review of 6 studies involving 334 participants.

Despite the variability in study designs and participant demographics, all studies indicated positive outcomes, suggesting that nature therapy could be a valuable intervention for mental health, warranting further research and standardized practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social prescribing of nature therapy for adults with mental illness living in the community: A scoping review of peer-reviewed international evidence. Thomas, T., Aggar, C., Baker, J., et al.[2023]

Nature-based interventions for mental health are gaining popularity in the UK, with increasing evidence supporting their effectiveness.

The 'A Dose of Nature' project highlights key factors that contribute to the success of these interventions, suggesting a structured approach can enhance their impact on mental well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What makes nature-based interventions for mental health successful? Bloomfield, D.[2020]

Engaging with natural environments can significantly enhance health and well-being, suggesting a potential benefit for mental healthcare practices.

Targeted nature-based interventions, known as green care, could be tailored to meet individual recovery needs, paving the way for further research to identify the most effective strategies for different populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Green care in psychiatry. Cuthbert, S., Kellas, A., Page, LA.[2021]

A nine-month study using semi-structured surveys revealed that nature-based therapy groups in a psychiatric inpatient setting enhanced patients' sensory experiences, social interactions, and self-care practices.

Patients reported various benefits from engaging with nature, leading to a deeper understanding of how these activities positively impact mental health, which supports the development of a theoretical model for nature-based programming in mental health care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nature-based Group Therapy Reflections: A Grounded Theory Study. Carlson, K., Kingsley, J., Strimaitis, C., et al.[2021]

Nature-based interventions (NBIs), such as gardening and green exercise, significantly improve mental health outcomes in adults, including reducing depressive mood and anxiety, based on a systematic review of 50 studies involving various formats and durations.

The most effective NBIs were conducted over 8 to 12 weeks, with sessions lasting between 20 to 90 minutes, indicating a structured approach is key to maximizing their benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Coventry, PA., Brown, JE., Pervin, J., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8498096/

Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health Results from this review suggested that nature-based interventions may positively impact on depression, anxiety, mood and feelings of hope.

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-023-49702-0

The effectiveness of nature-based therapy for community ... This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of Nature-Based Therapy (NBT) for the community experiencing psychological distress during ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024008043

Factors influencing the effectiveness of nature-based ... Several systematic reviews support nature–based interventions (NBIs) as a mechanism of enhancing mental health and wellbeing.

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. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1625294/full

Nature-based interventions: a systematic review of reviews Background: Nature-based interventions are emerging as an alternative to therapeutic approaches aimed to reduce and prevent mental and physical ailments.

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

Nurtured by nature Key points · Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41599-024-02970-1

The effects of neighbourhood green spaces on mental ... We found that neighbourhood GS had substantial protective effects on the mental health of disadvantaged groups.

8. deconstructingstigma.org deconstructingstigma.org/guides/nature

How Nature Improves Your Mental Health Because time in the outdoors offers the benefit of mental rest and rejuvenation, it has been shown to improve memory, attention, impulse control ...