Nature-based Intervention for Chronic Pain in Older People

NCT ID: NCT07002853

Last Updated: 2025-06-04

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

15 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-05-22

Study Completion Date

2026-12-01

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a nature-based intervention program has positive effects on the physical and psychosocial health in a group of older participants with chronic non-specific lower back pain. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Will the program improve:

* The physical outcomes such as mobility, strength and balance?
* The psychosocial health outcomes?

Participants will:

* Be assessed before and after the program;
* Participate in one session per week of the intervention.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Nonspecific chronic low back pain is defined as persistent pain located between the lower ribs and the gluteal fold, with no identifiable pathoanatomical cause. It is associated with decreased quality of life, mental well-being, increased work absenteeism, and represents a significant economic burden for both individuals and the healthcare system. In the scientific literature, physical activity remains the primary recommended intervention. Recently, nature-based interventions have also been explored as a potential multidisciplinary ally for the management of chronic pain.

The objective of this study is to examine the effects of outdoor physical activity (i.e. walking, general back mobility and strengthening) combined with other nature interventions (i.e. shinrin-yoku, meditation, gardening and pain education) in a group of older adults living with chronic non-specific lower back pain. The intervention will consist of an 8-week group program, conducted once a week for 2 hours. A total of 15 participants will take part in the program to evaluate its impact on both physical and mental health.

Data collection will include both quantitative and qualitative measures. Quantitative outcomes will assess pain disability, quality of life, kinesiophobia (fear of movement), fear of falling, pain catastrophisation, pain beliefs, well-being, depression, nature connectedness, and physical function through standardized tests (e.g., 5 Times Sit to Stand Test), postural control, and gait patterns. Statistical analyses will be performed to compare pre- and post-intervention outcomes, as well as to explore associations between clinical variables, using SPSS software.

Qualitative data will be collected through individual interviews conducted before and at the end of the program to provide a richer understanding of participants' experiences of pain and perceived effects of the program. Interview transcripts will be analyzed using NVivo software.

It is anticipated that this type of intervention will have positive effects for this population and may be considered a promising rehabilitation approach for the management of chronic low back pain in older adults.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Chronic Disease Chronic Pain (Back / Neck) Older Adults (65 Years and Older)

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Nature-based intervention

Nature-based intervention group of once a week (2 hours) for 8 weeks

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Nature-based Intervention

Intervention Type OTHER

Combination of activities in nature such as walking, exercises (strengthening, mobility, balance), mindfulness, guided meditation, forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku, interpretation of nature, gardening and pain education.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Nature-based Intervention

Combination of activities in nature such as walking, exercises (strengthening, mobility, balance), mindfulness, guided meditation, forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku, interpretation of nature, gardening and pain education.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Aged 65 years +
* Having low back pain for 3 months or more
* Being able to walk independently
* Mental state \>25/30 in the MMSE questionnaire
* Frailty score \<3/5 (Fried criterias)

Exclusion Criteria

* Presenting other severe musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or neurological conditions, or systemic diseases (e.g., cancer).
Minimum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

FUQAC

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Rubens da Silva

Professor and Director researcher

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Rubens A. da Silva, Ph.D.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Marie-Ève Langelier, MD

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Émilie Fortin, M.Sc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Guillaume Léonard, Ph.D.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Université de Sherbrooke

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Saguenay, Quebec, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Canada

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Rubens A. da Silva, Ph.D.

Role: CONTACT

418 545-5011 ext. 1361

Émilie Fortin, M.Sc

Role: CONTACT

5818828598

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Rubens A. da Silva, Ph.D.

Role: primary

418 545-5011 ext. 1361

Émilie Fortin, Ph.D. (c)

Role: backup

5818828598

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Suh JH, Kim H, Jung GP, Ko JY, Ryu JS. The effect of lumbar stabilization and walking exercises on chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jun;98(26):e16173. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016173.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31261549 (View on PubMed)

Hayden JA, Ellis J, Ogilvie R, Malmivaara A, van Tulder MW. Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Sep 28;9(9):CD009790. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009790.pub2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34580864 (View on PubMed)

Fernandez-Rodriguez R, Alvarez-Bueno C, Cavero-Redondo I, Torres-Costoso A, Pozuelo-Carrascosa DP, Reina-Gutierrez S, Pascual-Morena C, Martinez-Vizcaino V. Best Exercise Options for Reducing Pain and Disability in Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: Pilates, Strength, Core-Based, and Mind-Body. A Network Meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022 Aug;52(8):505-521. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2022.10671. Epub 2022 Jun 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35722759 (View on PubMed)

Dagenais S, Tricco AC, Haldeman S. Synthesis of recommendations for the assessment and management of low back pain from recent clinical practice guidelines. Spine J. 2010 Jun;10(6):514-29. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2010.03.032.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20494814 (View on PubMed)

Brumitt J, Matheson JW, Meira EP. Core stabilization exercise prescription, part I: current concepts in assessment and intervention. Sports Health. 2013 Nov;5(6):504-9. doi: 10.1177/1941738113502451.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24427424 (View on PubMed)

Han JW, Choi H, Jeon YH, Yoon CH, Woo JM, Kim W. The Effects of Forest Therapy on Coping with Chronic Widespread Pain: Physiological and Psychological Differences between Participants in a Forest Therapy Program and a Control Group. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016 Feb 24;13(3):255. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13030255.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26927141 (View on PubMed)

Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, Hirata K, Shimizu T, Li YJ, Wakayama Y, Kawada T, Ohira T, Takayama N, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. A forest bathing trip increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins in female subjects. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2008 Jan-Mar;22(1):45-55.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18394317 (View on PubMed)

Li Q. Effects of forest environment (Shinrin-yoku/Forest bathing) on health promotion and disease prevention -the Establishment of "Forest Medicine". Environ Health Prev Med. 2022;27:43. doi: 10.1265/ehpm.22-00160.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36328581 (View on PubMed)

Irvine KN, Fisher D, Currie M, Colley K, Warber SL. A Nature-Based Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Qualitative Study Using the COM-B Model. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Jun 27;21(7):843. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21070843.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 39063420 (View on PubMed)

Frumkin H, Bratman GN, Breslow SJ, Cochran B, Kahn PH Jr, Lawler JJ, Levin PS, Tandon PS, Varanasi U, Wolf KL, Wood SA. Nature Contact and Human Health: A Research Agenda. Environ Health Perspect. 2017 Jul 31;125(7):075001. doi: 10.1289/EHP1663.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28796634 (View on PubMed)

Zhang SK, Gu ML, Zhang T, Xu H, Mao SJ, Zhou WS. Effects of exercise therapy on disability, mobility, and quality of life in the elderly with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Jul 19;18(1):513. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-03988-y.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37468931 (View on PubMed)

Hoy D, Brooks P, Blyth F, Buchbinder R. The Epidemiology of low back pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010 Dec;24(6):769-81. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2010.10.002.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21665125 (View on PubMed)

Vlaeyen JWS, Maher CG, Wiech K, Van Zundert J, Meloto CB, Diatchenko L, Battie MC, Goossens M, Koes B, Linton SJ. Low back pain. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018 Dec 13;4(1):52. doi: 10.1038/s41572-018-0052-1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30546064 (View on PubMed)

Dionne CE, Dunn KM, Croft PR. Does back pain prevalence really decrease with increasing age? A systematic review. Age Ageing. 2006 May;35(3):229-34. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afj055. Epub 2006 Mar 17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16547119 (View on PubMed)

da Silva RA, Vieira ER, Carvalho CE, Oliveira MR, Amorim CF, Neto EN. Age-related differences on low back pain and postural control during one-leg stance: a case-control study. Eur Spine J. 2016 Apr;25(4):1251-7. doi: 10.1007/s00586-015-4255-9. Epub 2015 Oct 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26428907 (View on PubMed)

Maher C, Underwood M, Buchbinder R. Non-specific low back pain. Lancet. 2017 Feb 18;389(10070):736-747. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30970-9. Epub 2016 Oct 11.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27745712 (View on PubMed)

Lee I, Choi H, Bang KS, Kim S, Song M, Lee B. Effects of Forest Therapy on Depressive Symptoms among Adults: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Mar 20;14(3):321. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14030321.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 28335541 (View on PubMed)

Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychol Sci. 2008 Dec;19(12):1207-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 19121124 (View on PubMed)

Vanti C, Andreatta S, Borghi S, Guccione AA, Pillastrini P, Bertozzi L. The effectiveness of walking versus exercise on pain and function in chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Disabil Rehabil. 2019 Mar;41(6):622-632. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1410730. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29207885 (View on PubMed)

White MP, Alcock I, Grellier J, Wheeler BW, Hartig T, Warber SL, Bone A, Depledge MH, Fleming LE. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep. 2019 Jun 13;9(1):7730. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 31197192 (View on PubMed)

Simone C. Gafner A-VB. Test de 10 mètres de marche 10-Meter Walking Test Kinésithérapie, la Revue. 2022;22(248-249):46-9.

Reference Type RESULT

Bohannon RW. Reference values for the five-repetition sit-to-stand test: a descriptive meta-analysis of data from elders. Percept Mot Skills. 2006 Aug;103(1):215-22. doi: 10.2466/pms.103.1.215-222.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 17037663 (View on PubMed)

Waddell G, Newton M, Henderson I, Somerville D, Main CJ. A Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and the role of fear-avoidance beliefs in chronic low back pain and disability. Pain. 1993 Feb;52(2):157-168. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(93)90127-B.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 8455963 (View on PubMed)

Sullivan MJL, Bishop SR, Pivik J. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale: Development and validation. Psychological Assessment. 1995;7(4):524-32.

Reference Type RESULT

French DJ, Roach PJ, Mayes S. Peur du mouvement chez des accidentes du travail: l'Echelle de Kinesiophobie de Tampa (EKT). CANADIAN JOURNAL OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE. 2002;34:28-33.

Reference Type RESULT

Steigen AM, Bergh D. The Social Provisions Scale: psychometric properties of the SPS-10 among participants in nature-based services. Disabil Rehabil. 2019 Jul;41(14):1690-1698. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1434689. Epub 2018 Feb 5.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29402143 (View on PubMed)

Orpana HM, Lang JJ, Yurkowski K. Validation of a brief version of the Social Provisions Scale using Canadian national survey data. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2019 Dec;39(12):323-332. doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.39.12.02.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 31825785 (View on PubMed)

Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001 Sep;16(9):606-13. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 11556941 (View on PubMed)

Cleeland CS, Ryan KM. Pain assessment: global use of the Brief Pain Inventory. Ann Acad Med Singap. 1994 Mar;23(2):129-38.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 8080219 (View on PubMed)

Roland M, Morris R. A study of the natural history of back pain. Part I: development of a reliable and sensitive measure of disability in low-back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1983 Mar;8(2):141-4. doi: 10.1097/00007632-198303000-00004. No abstract available.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 6222486 (View on PubMed)

Fried LP, Tangen CM, Walston J, Newman AB, Hirsch C, Gottdiener J, Seeman T, Tracy R, Kop WJ, Burke G, McBurnie MA; Cardiovascular Health Study Collaborative Research Group. Frailty in older adults: evidence for a phenotype. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001 Mar;56(3):M146-56. doi: 10.1093/gerona/56.3.m146.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 11253156 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJKVBMl0Qkk

PARC project 1 for Parkinson Disease

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

2025-1991

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Aging Successfully With Pain
NCT01405716 COMPLETED NA