NCT07056634

The Effects of Nature-Based Activity vs. Indoor Exercise on Cognition, Psychological, and Physiological Health

The Effects of Nature-Based Activity vs. Indoor Exercise on Cognitive, Psychological, and Physiological Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Reading · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the comparative effects of nature-based versus indoor exercise interventions on cognitive performance, psychological well-being, and physiological stress in Malaysian adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) active nature engagement (walking outdoors), (2) passive nature engagement (seated outdoor observation), (3) indoor treadmill walking, or (4) a no-intervention control group. The study will examine changes in attention, working memory, affect, blood pressure, body composition, and salivary cortisol across baseline, mid-point, and post-intervention assessments.

Conditions

• Psychological Well Being
• Cognitive Performance

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Active Nature Engagement	Participants in this group will walk at a comfortable pace for 30 minutes in an urban park, three times per week for four weeks. They will be guided to focus on their surroundings using a grounding exercise (e.g., noticing sights, sounds, and smells) and instructed not to use mobile phones or listen to music during the walk.
BEHAVIORAL	Passive Nature Engagement	Participants in this group will sit quietly for 30 minutes in a designated spot within an urban park, three times per week for four weeks. They will engage in grounding exercises and draw aspects of the natural environment. Participants will be instructed not to use mobile phones or listen to music during the walk.
BEHAVIORAL	Indoor Exercise	Participants will be asked to walk on a treadmill in an indoor room without windows for 30 minutes. The treadmill will be set to the speed that match the average pace in nature walk group (approximately 3 km/hr). The speed could be adjusted by the participant if needed, but kept within the range of 2.6 km/hr to 4.6 km/hr. Participants will be asked to not use their phones or listen to music.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-07-07
• Primary completion: 2025-11-30
• Completion: 2025-12-31
• First posted: 2025-07-09
• Last updated: 2025-09-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Malaysia