Bird Watching to Reduce Stress in University Students

NCT ID: NCT06614517

Last Updated: 2026-01-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 102 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-02-10
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-01

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to learn if birdwatching can reduce stress in university students. It will also explore students; experiences with the intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does birdwatching reduce students perceived stress levels? What are the experiences of students who participate in the birdwatching intervention? Why do some students drop out of the study? Researchers will compare a group of students who participate in birdwatching outings to a control group that does not receive the intervention to determine if birdwatching is effective in reducing stress.

Participants will:

Either participate in birdwatching outings or be in a control group with no intervention Complete a perceived stress scale (PSS-10) to measure their stress levels Take part in semi-structured interviews to discuss their experiences with the intervention or their reasons for dropping out of the study

Conditions

Stress, Psychologic

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: TRIPLE

Study Groups

Birdwatching Intervention Arm

The intervention arm will involve participants, divided into four subgroups, taking part in field trips for visual and auditory birdwatching. These trips will take place every 15 days over three sessions, guided by an expert in the subject. Students will be provided with binoculars and guidance on the use of apps to identify observed birds. Additionally, WhatsApp groups will be created for each subgroup, where videos and audios of birds will be shared, along with weekly challenges to reinforce exposure to the intervention. The outings will take place in natural environments such as coffee farms and forests near Bucaramanga.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Birdwatching Intervention

Intervention Type: OTHER

Description: Participants will attend three birdwatching sessions, where they will enjoy direct contact with nature in selected environments such as forests and farms. These outings will be guided by an expert, who will also introduce participants to the use of binoculars and tools for identifying the birds observed during the excursions. During the outings, participants will learn the body scan technique, which will help them focus on physical sensations without making judgments. This exercise will encourage them to pay attention to details such as muscle tension, temperature, or surface contact, allowing them to be more present and connected to their surroundings during the birdwatching sessions. In addition to the in-person outings, participants will receive digital materials via WhatsApp to complement the intervention.Birdwatching Intervention

Control Arm

The control group will not receive any intervention related to birdwatching. Participants in this group will continue with their usual activities without taking part in the field trips or complementary activities such as watching videos or listening to bird sounds.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Birdwatching Intervention

Description: Participants will attend three birdwatching sessions, where they will enjoy direct contact with nature in selected environments such as forests and farms. These outings will be guided by an expert, who will also introduce participants to the use of binoculars and tools for identifying the birds observed during the excursions. During the outings, participants will learn the body scan technique, which will help them focus on physical sensations without making judgments. This exercise will encourage them to pay attention to details such as muscle tension, temperature, or surface contact, allowing them to be more present and connected to their surroundings during the birdwatching sessions. In addition to the in-person outings, participants will receive digital materials via WhatsApp to complement the intervention.Birdwatching Intervention

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

• University students with a medical diagnosis of any mental illness under pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment, with health conditions that prevent them from seeing, hearing, or moving, as well as students who have engaged in birdwatching in the last six months, will not be included.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 100 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Universidad Industrial de Santander

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Leidy Johanna Rueda Díaz

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

LEIDY J RUEDA DÍAZ, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Universidad Industrial de Santander

Locations

Universidad Industrial de Santander

Bucaramanga, Santander Department, Colombia

Universidad Industrial de Santander

Bucaramanga, Santander Department, Colombia

Countries

Colombia

Other Identifiers

4217

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id