RECRUITING

Promoting Active Therapy: Path to Wellness

Description

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.

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

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.

Can Nature-based Physical Activity Improve Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety?

Promoting Active Therapy: Path to Wellness

Condition
Depression, Anxiety
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Manhattan

Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States, 66506

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Kansas State University,

Study Record Dates

2026-05-31