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

NCT ID: NCT07056634

Last Updated: 2025-09-02

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

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-07-07

Study Completion Date

2025-12-31

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Psychological Well Being Cognitive Performance

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Active Nature Engagement

Outdoor walking in a designated urban park, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, 30 minutes/session

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Active Nature Engagement

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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.

Passive Nature Engagement

Sitting quietly and observing nature, with grounding exercise, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, 30 minutes/session

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Passive Nature Engagement

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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.

Indoor Exercise

Treadmill walking indoors under controlled conditions, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, 30 minutes/session

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Indoor Exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

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.

Control

No exposure to intervention between baseline and post-test

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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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.

Intervention Type 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.

Intervention Type 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.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Adults (≥18 years old)
* Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
* Normal or corrected-to-normal hearing
* Physically fit - able to walk unassisted for at least 30 minutes

Exclusion Criteria

* Participants with limited mobility that prevents outdoor activities
* Participants who do not have adequate comprehension in English necessary to participate in measurement of outcomes
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Reading

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Tan Kok Wei

Dr.

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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University of Reading Malaysia

Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Malaysia

Central Contacts

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Juliana Ju Yun Hoo

Role: CONTACT

+60 7 268 6294

Facility Contacts

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Juliana Ju Yun Hoo

Role: primary

+60 7 268 6294

Other Identifiers

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FRGS/1/2023/SS09/READING/03/1

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

UoRM REC 2025/05

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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