The Effectiveness of Nature-Based Therapies for Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents

NCT07422545 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: MSU-SGLK-MG-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This three-phase study first assesses the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents, then evaluates the effectiveness of a randomized controlled nature-based therapy intervention. The final phase explores emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial changes through qualitative interviews with parents of adolescents in the intervention group. The study aims to provide evidence for nature-based therapies as effective complementary interventions for adolescent mental health.

Conditions

Anxiety; Depression

Keywords

Nature-based therapy; anxiety; depression; adolescent; prevalence

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Anxiety and Depression Symptom Severity

  Changes in anxiety and depressive symptom severity will be assessed using standardized psychological assessment scales administered at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up to evaluate the effectiveness of the nature-based therapy program.

  Baseline (22.06.2025), post-intervention (27.07.2025), and Follow-up (27.10.2025) (Exactly 3 months after the last intervention program.)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Environmental Attitudes Toward Nature

  Baseline (22.06.2025), post-intervention (27.07.2025), and follow-up (27.10.2025) (Exactly 3 months after the last intervention program.)

Other Outcomes (1)

• Parent-Reported Psychosocial Changes Supporting Quantitative Outcomes

  Qualitative interviews with parents were conducted within one week of the last intervention assessment. Date: 28.07.2025 - 03.08.2025

Study Arms (2)

Nature-Based Therapy Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will receive a structured nature-based therapy program delivered in outdoor natural environments. The intervention includes experiential therapeutic activities, emotional regulation exercises, mindfulness-based practices, and group interaction sessions aimed at reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms and improving psychosocial functioning.

Behavioral: Nature-Based Therapy

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants assigned to the control group will not receive the nature-based therapy intervention during the study period and will continue with their usual daily routines. They will undergo the same assessment schedule as the intervention group, including baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up measurements to allow for comparative evaluation of outcomes.

Interventions

Nature-Based Therapy BEHAVIORAL

The nature-based therapy program is a structured psychosocial intervention conducted in outdoor natural environments for adolescents experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms. The program combines experiential activities in nature with therapeutic techniques including emotional regulation practices, mindfulness-based exercises, reflective discussions, and group-based interactions. Sessions emphasize active engagement with natural surroundings to support stress reduction, emotional awareness, attention regulation, and social connectedness. Therapeutic components aim to strengthen adaptive coping strategies, enhance psychological resilience, and improve interpersonal functioning within a supportive group setting. The intervention follows a standardized session framework to ensure consistency while allowing flexibility based on developmental needs.

Nature-Based Therapy Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adolescents within the defined age range of the study
• Not having a psychiatric diagnosis
• Not receiving psychological or psychiatric support
• Not having a physical disability that would limit participation in therapy sessions
• Having obtained parental consent to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of severe psychiatric disorders requiring immediate clinical intervention (e.g., psychosis, severe suicidal risk)
• Ongoing intensive psychological or psychiatric treatment during the study period
• Physical or medical conditions limiting participation in outdoor activities
• Cognitive impairments preventing comprehension of intervention activities

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Muş Alparslan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Outdoor Natural Settings (Nature-Based Therapy Sites)

Muş, Muş, 49100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Cuijpers, P., Sijbrandij, M., Koole, S. L., Andersson, G., Beekman, A. T., & Reynolds III, C. F. (2013). The efficacy of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in treating depressive and anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis of direct comparisons. World psychiatry, 12(2), 137-148.

  RESULT

• Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., & Daily, G. C. (2012). The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Annals of the New York academy of sciences, 1249(1), 118-136.

  RESULT

• Ulrich, R. S., Simons, R. F., Losito, B. D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M. A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of environmental psychology, 11(3), 201-230.

  RESULT

• Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge university press.

  RESULT

• Hansen, M. M., Jones, R., & Tocchini, K. (2017). Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and nature therapy: A state-of-the-art review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(8), 851.

  RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Murat GENÇ, PhD

  Muş Alparslan University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This study utilizes a three-phase mixed-methods design. The first phase involves a large-scale screening to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents using standardized assessment tools. In the second phase, eligible participants are randomly assigned to either a nature-based therapy intervention group or a control group in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention is delivered in natural outdoor environments and includes experiential therapeutic activities and emotional regulation practices. Quantitative assessments are conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. The third phase consists of semi-structured qualitative interviews with parents of adolescents in the intervention group to explore observed psychosocial changes following therapy.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 6, 2026
• First Posted: February 20, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 3, 2025
• Study Completion: November 3, 2025
• Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)