Nature-based Treatment Group for Depression

NCT ID: NCT04897685

Last Updated: 2021-07-01

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 147 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2019-01-01
• Study Completion Date: 2021-03-31

Brief Summary

This multi-centre research investigates the effects of nature-based treatment group on participants diagnosed with depression. In total, 147 persons participated in the study in various locations in Finland. All participants received treatment as usual (TAU). They were randomised into nature-based group + TAU (n = 70) or TAU-only (n = 77). The participants in the nature-based group + TAU were offered 12 sessions once a week in addition to standard care. The measurement points included pre-treatment measurement at the baseline and post-treatment measurement at the end of the intervention, which was 12 weeks after the pre-treatment measurement. The follow-up measurement was 3 months after the post-treatment measurement. The effects of the intervention were assessed with a clinical measure of depression (BDI-I) and with indicators of psychological distress (CORE-10), subjective well-being (SWEMWBS), work/study ability (WAI) and nature experiences (ROS, KOLU). The participants in the treatment group (nature-based group +TAU) were compared to the participants in the control group who received TAU-only.

Detailed Description

This research investigates the outcomes of nature-based treatment groups in the treatment of adults with depression. In total, 147 participants were involved. Of them, 70 were randomized into DMT group and 77 into the control group. All participants received treatment as usual during the research. The inclusion criteria of the study were: a diagnoses of depression (ICD -diagnostic system), BDI-I score 10 or above (cut off score for mild depression), treatment contact in a health care service and 18-65 years of age. The exclusion criteria were: 1) active suicidal ideation, 2) psychotic symptoms, and 3) substance misuse that is on a critical level (Audit questionnaire scores above 10). Also, participants who had pain-related problems that restricted daily life or were pregnant were not admitted to the study.

Nature-based treatment group was facilitated by a health care professional and included 12 x 90 mins sessions within 12 weeks. Depressive symptoms (BDI-I), psychological distress (CORE-10), subjective well-being (SWEMWBS), ability to work/study (WAI), and nature experiences (ROS, KOLU) were assessed at three measurement points: pre-measurement at the baseline, post-measurement 12 weeks after the pre-treatment measurement, and a follow-up measurement three months after the post-treatment measurement.

This research includes a larger number of participants (N = 147) than have been involved in previous studies utilising randomised controlled trials in nature-based interventions. The research generates further information about the effectiveness of nature-based therapy groups in the rehabilitation of depression as it was conducted in five cities across Finland. This type of multi-centre research can provide a realistic picture of the typical practice of a range of health care professionals working with participants in various geographic locations.

Conditions

Depression

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Nature-based treatment group

The participants in the treatment group were offered 12 nature-based group therapy sessions in addition to standard care.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Flow with Nature

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Nature-based intervention was facilitated by a health care professional and included 12 x 90 mins sessions within 12 weeks.

Control group

The participants in the control group continued treatment as usual in the health care services.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Flow with Nature

Nature-based intervention was facilitated by a health care professional and included 12 x 90 mins sessions within 12 weeks.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• A diagnoses of depression (ICD -diagnostic system)
• BDI-I score 10 or above
• Treatment contact in a health care service
• Motivated to commit to a 12-session treatment group taking place in nearby nature environments
• Able to communicate adequately in Finnish in order to participate

Exclusion Criteria

• Active suicidal ideation
• Psychotic symptoms
• Substance misuse that is on a critical level
• Volunteers who had pain-related problems that restricted daily life or were pregnant were not admitted to the study

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Tampere University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Jyvaskyla

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

JAMK University Of Applied Sciences

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Kalevi Korpela, Professor

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Tampere University

Locations

University of Jyväskylä

Jyväskylä, , Finland

Institute of Rehabilitation, JAMK University of Applied Sciences

Jyväskylä, , Finland

Tampere University

Tampere, , Finland

Countries

Finland

Related Links

https://research.tuni.fi/enviwell/

Description of the research group

Other Identifiers

JAMKUAS

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id