Veterans Nature Therapy (Vet Hike)

NCT03997344 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: STUDY00006745
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study evaluates the feasibility of conducting a study to evaluate the impact of nature exposure/hiking in groups on symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in Veterans. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups: 1) nature hikes and 2) urban hikes.

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorders

Keywords

posttraumatic stress disorders; randomized controlled trial; pilot study; feasibility; nature; physical activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Recruitment

  Time to recruit the sample

  Baseline

• Recruitment

  Percentage of individuals contacted who are randomized

  Baseline

• Retention

  Percentage of participants that complete assessments

  12-week follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• PTSD symptoms

  Baseline and 6-, 12-, 24-week follow-ups

• Quality of life/well-being: Satisfaction with Life Scale

  Baseline and 6-, 12-, 24-week follow-ups

• Depression

  Baseline and 6-, 12-, 24-week follow-ups

• Perceived stress

  Baseline and 6-, 12-, 24-week follow-ups

• Social connectedness

  Baseline and 6-, 12-, 24-week follow-ups

Study Arms (2)

Nature hiking

EXPERIMENTAL

Group hikes in a natural setting (e.g., park, wilderness area)

Behavioral: Group nature hikes

Urban hikes

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Group hikes in a urban setting (e.g., downtown area)

Behavioral: Group urban hikes

Interventions

Group nature hikes BEHAVIORAL

Six group nature hikes will be offered once every other week. Total duration of intervention is 12 weeks. Hikes will be co-lead by two experienced hike leaders.

Also known as: Nature hikes

Nature hiking

Group urban hikes BEHAVIORAL

Six group urban hikes will be offered once every other week. Total duration of intervention is 12 weeks. Hikes will be co-lead by two experienced hike leaders.

Also known as: Urban hikes

Urban hikes

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• U.S. Military Veteran;
• Active PTSD symptoms based on the PCL-5;
• No diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorders (based on self-report);
• Low risk of suicide (based on responses to the MINI Suicidal module);
• No inpatient admission in last 3 months (based on self-report);
• No current alcohol disorder/dependence (based on having a score\<16 on the 10-item self-administered AUDIT questionnaire);
• No evidence of drug-related problems (based on having a score \<3 on the DAST-10)
• Capable of safely participating in hikes as evidenced by no "yes's" on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (or approval of their primary care physician) and individual assertion that they can walk at least 2 hours at an easy to moderate effort with breaks;
• Willing to be randomized to one of two groups and complete all study procedures;
• Able to provide written informed consent to participate.

You may not qualify if:

• Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other psychotic disorder

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Washington: lead
• VA Puget Sound Health Care System: collaborator
• Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

VA Puget Sound Health Care System

Seattle, Washington, 98108, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Littman AJ, Bratman GN, Lehavot K, Engel CC, Fortney JC, Peterson A, Jones A, Klassen C, Brandon J, Frumkin H. Nature versus urban hiking for Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: a pilot randomised trial conducted in the Pacific Northwest USA. BMJ Open. 2021 Sep 23;11(9):e051885. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051885.

  PMID: 34556516 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavior

Study Officials

• Alyson Littman, PhD

  University of Washington

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor: College of the Environment

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned to one of two arms

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 12, 2019
• First Posted: June 25, 2019
• Study Start: May 10, 2019
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2020
• Study Completion: March 1, 2020
• Last Updated: June 14, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-06

Locations

US (1)