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

NCT06365736 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 240310
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 41
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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

Keywords

nature-based interventions; spiritual well-being; contemplate

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)

  On a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (to a very high degree), respondents rate in how far they think specific statements about spiritual well-being apply to themselves. Higher scores indicate higher scores of spiritual well-being.

  Change from baseline to post-intervention at 2 weeks.

• Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)

  On a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (to a very high degree), respondents rate in how far they think specific statements about spiritual well-being apply to themselves. Higher scores indicate higher scores of spiritual well-being.

  Change from Baseline to Short-term follow-up at 1 month.

• Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)

  On a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (to a very high degree), respondents rate in how far they think specific statements about spiritual well-being apply to themselves. Higher scores indicate higher scores of spiritual well-being.

  Change from baseline to longer-term follow-up at 3 months.

• Spiritual well-being assessed by Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES)

  The non-theistic items from DSES will be used. Ranging from 1 (multiple times a day) to 6 (never). The item responses were reverse coded prior to analysis so that larger values would reflect a higher level of daily spiritual experiences.

  Change from baseline to post-intervention at 2 weeks.

• Spiritual well-being assessed by Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES)

  The non-theistic items from DSES will be used. Ranging from 1 (multiple times a day) to 6 (never). The item responses were reverse coded prior to analysis so that larger values would reflect a higher level of daily spiritual experiences.

  Change from baseline to short-term follow-up at 1 month.

• Spiritual well-being assessed by Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES)

  The non-theistic items from DSES will be used. Ranging from 1 (multiple times a day) to 6 (never). The item responses were reverse coded prior to analysis so that larger values would reflect a higher level of daily spiritual experiences.

  Change from baseline to longer-term follow-up at 3 months.

Other Outcomes (18)

• Client satisfaction of intervention condition assessed by Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8)

  From post-intervention to short-term follow-up at 1 month.

• Client satisfaction of active control condition assessed by Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8)

  From post-intervention to short-term follow-up at 1 month.

• Client satisfaction of passive control condition assessed by Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8)

  From post-intervention to longer term follow-up at 3 months.

Study Arms (1)

Contemplative nature intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Behavioral: Contemplating in nature

Interventions

Contemplating in nature 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.

Also known as: contemplative nature-based interventions

Contemplative nature intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• \- NA.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Twente: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Twente

Enschede, Overijssel, 7522NB, Netherlands

Location

Study Officials

• Ernst Bohlmeijer, Prof. Dr.

  University of Twente

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 5, 2024
• First Posted: April 15, 2024
• Study Start: May 10, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 4, 2024
• Study Completion: September 4, 2024
• Last Updated: September 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NL (1)