Promoting Active Therapy: Path to Wellness

NCT06858189 | Recruiting Phase 2

• 1 other identifier: IRB12197
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This project will examine changes in depression and anxiety following a 10-week intervention promoting nature-based physical activity in mental health settings. We will recruit ten licensed therapists whose caseload includes adults with depression and anxiety. Following a training by our team, each participating therapist will recruit six clients, who will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. Clients in the intervention condition will engage in walk-and-talk therapy outdoors during weekly sessions and discuss strategies for being active outdoors on their own. We will assess changes in depression, anxiety, and nature-based physical activity in both groups.

Conditions

Depression, Anxiety; Physical Activity; Time in Nature; Self-Efficacy; Feasibility Pilot Study

Keywords

therapy; nature prescriptions; park prescriptions (ParkRx); exercise; mental health; walk-and-talk

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Participation in walk-and-talk therapy

  Therapists will keep logs of weekly attendance and participation in walk-and-talk therapy during sessions. Outcome will be calculated as a percentage of offered sessions.

  Weekly throughout the 10-week intervention

• Perceived therapist support for nature-based physical activity

  Participating clients will complete a survey indicating how frequently their therapist asks about physical activity, recommends physical activity, engages in physical activity with the client, etc.

  End of intervention (after 10 weeks)

• Acceptability

  At the end of the intervention, clients will complete a survey indicating how much the discussions/sessions were helpful, enjoyable, informative, etc.

  End of intervention (after 10 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Self-efficacy for physical activity

  baseline, 10 weeks

• Self-efficacy for time in nature

  baseline, 10 weeks

• Physical activity

  Weekly throughout the 10-week intervention

• Time in nature

  Weekly throughout the 10-week intervention

Other Outcomes (2)

• Depression

  baseline, 10 weeks

• Anxiety

  baseline, 10 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Intervention (immediate start)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will engage in walk-and-talk therapy during weekly sessions with their therapist and will set goals for engaging in nature-based physical activity on their own outside of therapy.

Behavioral: Walk-and-talk therapy

Waitlist control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will receive generic educational materials about nature-based physical activity and local parks.

Interventions

Walk-and-talk therapy BEHAVIORAL

During the 10-week intervention, clients and therapists will engage in walk-and-talk therapy outdoors in natural settings during weekly therapy sessions. In addition, therapists will work with clients to set realistic goals for increased nature-based physical activity outside of the therapy setting. Therapists will check in with clients weekly regarding their progress and assist with goal revision, barrier planning, and self-monitoring.

Also known as: Path to Wellness

Intervention (immediate start)

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Current client of a participating therapist who has completed study training
• Diagnosed depressive or anxiety disorder
• Able to safely engage in moderate physical activity
• Willing to complete all study requirements

You may not qualify if:

• Planning to discontinue therapy in less than 6 months
• Active suicidal ideation
• Does not pass exercise risk screener

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kansas State University: lead
• REI Cooperative Action Fund: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas, 66506, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression; Anxiety Disorders; Motor Activity; Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Mental Disorders; Personal Satisfaction

Central Study Contacts

Emily L Mailey, PhD

CONTACT

847-224-1199; emailey@ksu.edu

Gina M Besenyi, PhD

CONTACT

785-532-6765; gbesenyi@ksu.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 2
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 27, 2025
• First Posted: March 5, 2025
• Study Start: February 28, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2026
• Last Updated: March 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Locations

US (1)