The Effect of a Contemplative Nature-based Intervention on Spiritual Well-being

NCT ID: NCT06365736

Last Updated: 2025-09-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 41 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-05-10
• Study Completion Date: 2024-09-04

Brief Summary

The goal of this randomized control trial is to test if contemplating in nature could benefit spiritual well-being in general adults. The main question it aims to answer is:

Does a 2-week contemplative nature intervention improve spiritual well-being?

Participants in the intervention condition will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers, or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes.

Conditions

Spiritual Well-being; Healthy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Contemplative nature intervention

Participants will spend 30 minutes in nature per day for 10 times over 14 days. Participants will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers, or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Contemplating in nature

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants will spend 30 minutes in nature per day for 10 times over 14 days.

Each time, participants will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes.

Interventions

Contemplating in nature

Participants will spend 30 minutes in nature per day for 10 times over 14 days.

Each time, participants will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

contemplative nature-based interventions

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• is 18 years or older;
• has access to a nearby natural environment for walking and sitting activities such as a forest, park, or walking area;
• possesses the physical ability to walk for half an hour;
• has access to a computer or tablet with a stable internet connection and an email address;
• is willing to commit half an hour to engage in nature walks 10 times over 14 days.

Exclusion Criteria

• NA.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Twente

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Xingjian Ruan

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Ernst Bohlmeijer, Prof. Dr.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Twente

Locations

University of Twente

Enschede, Overijssel, Netherlands

Countries

Netherlands

Other Identifiers

240310

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id