Bird Watching to Reduce Stress in University Students

NCT06614517 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 4217
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 102
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

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

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Adherence to the intervention

  To determine adherence to the intervention, the proportion of students who successfully completed the number of sessions and challenges outlined in the intervention protocol will be calculated, as well as the number of university students who dropped out of the intervention

  From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group

• The Perceived Stress Scale

  Perceived Stress Scale: (PSS-10). This instrument measures the level of perceived stress during the last month. It consists of 10 questions with a five-option Likert-type response format. The score ranges from 0 to 40. A higher score indicates a higher level of perceived stress.

  From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7)

  From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group

• Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

  From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

  From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group

Other Outcomes (5)

• Feasibility- implementation of the intervention

  From inclusion in the study until the last follow up at 17 weeks

• Feasibility - Enrollment

  From the first day of study recruitment until the date of the last participant to complete the intervention, assessed up to 17 weeks

• Experiance

  From inclusion in the study until the last follow up at 17 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Birdwatching Intervention Arm

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Other: Birdwatching Intervention

Control Arm

NO INTERVENTION

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.

Interventions

Birdwatching Intervention 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

Birdwatching Intervention Arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 100 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Industrial de Santander: lead

Study Sites (2)

Universidad Industrial de Santander

Bucaramanga, Santander Department, 680002, Colombia

Location

Universidad Industrial de Santander

Bucaramanga, Santander Department, Colombia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress, Psychological

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• LEIDY J RUEDA DÍAZ, PhD

  Universidad Industrial de Santander

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 23, 2024
• First Posted: September 26, 2024
• Study Start: February 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2025
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: January 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CO (2)