NCT06989801

Benefits of Outdoor Walks in Reducing Depressive Symptoms

Benefits of a Nature Walk vs. an Urban Walk in Reducing Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Study Among College Students

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 180 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Washington · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether outdoor walking in different environments-urban or natural-can reduce depressive symptoms among college students. The study also tests whether providing prompts for active engagement during nature walks enhances the benefits compared to unstructured nature walks. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) urban walk, (2) nature walk, or (3) active nature walk with guided interaction. Each participant will walk for 30 minutes, twice a week, for 3 weeks, complete questionnaires, and participate in interviews. Our primary outcome (PHQ-9) will be used to test the following two primary hypotheses: * Hypothesis 1: Participants in both nature walk conditions (combined) will show greater reductions in depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) than those in the urban walk group. * Hypothesis 2: Participants in the active nature walk will show greater reductions than those in the regular nature walk.

Detailed description

The investigators aim to compare how walking in different outdoor environments influences depressive symptoms among college students. Specifically, the investigators will assess: 1. walking in an urban environment (like a busy city street), 2. walking in a natural environment regularly (e.g., walking without specific guidance), and 3. walking in a natural environment with guided interaction prompts (e.g., noticing birds, listening to sounds, touching flowers). Standardized questionnaires will measure changes in depressive symptoms, anxiety, affect, cognitive flexibility, nature connection, and Presence across all three groups. The investigators will also explore potential mechanisms behind any observed effects, including interaction patterns, presence, cognitive changes, and emotional responses to the different environments.

Conditions

• Depressive Symptoms

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Urban Walk	For each session, participants will take a 30-minute walk in an urban environment along a designated looped route. They will walk at a comfortable pace and follow the assigned path. During the walk, participants will be instructed to experience their surroundings as naturally as possible. No specific activities beyond walking are required. To fully immerse in the experience, participants will be asked to avoid using their phones unless necessary (e.g., in case of an emergency). They should keep the GPS app recording throughout the walk without interacting with it-just allow it to run in the background. Once the loop is completed, participants will stop the GPS recording and return to the starting point, where a research team member will be waiting. They will then be guided indoors to complete a brief post-walk survey and participate in a short interview to share their experience.
BEHAVIORAL	Nature Walk	For each session, participants will take a 30-minute walk in a natural environment along a designated looped route. They will walk at a comfortable pace and follow the assigned path. During the walk, participants will be instructed to experience their surroundings as naturally as possible. No specific activities beyond walking are required. To fully immerse in the experience, participants will be asked to avoid using their phones unless necessary (e.g., in case of an emergency). They should keep the Gaia GPS app recording throughout the walk without interacting with it-just allow it to run in the background. Once the loop is completed, participants will stop the GPS recording and return to the starting point, where a research team member will be waiting. They will then be guided indoors to complete a brief post-walk survey and participate in a short interview to share their experience.
BEHAVIORAL	Active Nature Walk	For each session, participants will take a 30-minute walk in a natural area, following a designated looped route. Unlike a regular walk, participants will be encouraged to engage with nature (e.g., listening to natural sounds, looking for birds, and touching flowers). To make the most of the walk, participants will be asked to avoid using their phones unless necessary (e.g., in case of an emergency). They should keep the Gaia GPS app recording throughout the walk without interacting with it-just letting it run in the background. Once the loop is completed, participants will stop the GPS recording and return to the starting point, where a research team member will be waiting. They will then be guided indoors to complete a brief post-walk survey and participate in a short interview to share their experience.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-11
• Primary completion: 2025-12-17
• Completion: 2025-12-27
• First posted: 2025-05-25
• Last updated: 2025-05-25

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States