Promoting Active Therapy: Path to Wellness

ConditionsDepression, Anxiety Physical Activity Time in Nature Self-Efficacy Feasibility Pilot Study

Trial statusRecruiting

Trial phasePhase 2

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18-65

SponsorKansas State University

About this trial

This project will examine changes in depression and anxiety following a 10-week intervention promoting nature-based physical activity in mental health settings. We will recruit ten licensed therapists whose caseload includes adults with depression and anxiety. Following a training by our team, each participating therapist will recruit six clients, who will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. Clients in the intervention condition will engage in walk-and-talk therapy outdoors during weekly sessions and discuss strategies for being active outdoors on their own. We will assess changes in depression, anxiety, and nature-based physical activity in both groups.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Current client of a participating therapist who has completed study training

Diagnosed depressive or anxiety disorder

Able to safely engage in moderate physical activity

Willing to complete all study requirements

Disqualifiers

Planning to discontinue therapy in less than 6 months

Active suicidal ideation

Does not pass exercise risk screener

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

Walk-and-talk therapy
Behavioral
During the 10-week intervention, clients and therapists will engage in walk-and-talk therapy outdoors in natural settings during weekly therapy sessions. In addition, therapists will work with clients to set realistic goals for increased nature-based physical activity outside of the therapy setting. Therapists will check in with clients weekly regarding their progress and assist with goal revision, barrier planning, and self-monitoring.

Treatment groups

60 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: Intervention (immediate start)Experimental treatment 1 intervention

Group B: Waitlist controlNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Participation in walk-and-talk therapy

Therapists will keep logs of weekly attendance and participation in walk-and-talk therapy during sessions. Outcome will be calculated as a percentage of offered sessions.

Time frame

Weekly throughout the 10-week intervention

Perceived therapist support for nature-based physical activity

Participating clients will complete a survey indicating how frequently their therapist asks about physical activity, recommends physical activity, engages in physical activity with the client, etc.

Time frame

End of intervention (after 10 weeks)

Acceptability

At the end of the intervention, clients will complete a survey indicating how much the discussions/sessions were helpful, enjoyable, informative, etc.

Time frame

End of intervention (after 10 weeks)

Secondary outcomes

Self-efficacy for physical activity

Measured with a modified version of the barriers self-efficacy scale

Time frame

baseline, 10 weeks

Self-efficacy for time in nature

Measured with the self-efficacy for spending time in nature scale

Time frame

baseline, 10 weeks

Physical activity

Average MVPA and daily steps measured via Fitbit inspire 3 devices

Time frame

Weekly throughout the 10-week intervention

Time in nature

Measured via NatureDose app

Time frame

Weekly throughout the 10-week intervention

Other outcomes

Depression

Measured via PHQ-9

Time frame

baseline, 10 weeks

Anxiety

Measured via GAD-7

Time frame

baseline, 10 weeks

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Kansas State University

Lead sponsor

REI Cooperative Action Fund

Collaborator

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

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