Nature-based Solutions for Work-related Stress

Nature-based Solutions for Work-related Stress: an Intervention Study

Although exposure to nature has restorative effects on human health, beneficial effects of nature-based interventions in the working environment have been underexplored. The investigators aim to conduct a randomised controlled pilot study.

During workhours one group participates in a nature-based program, the other group is a control group. The investigators test stress-related parameters including cortisol levels, wellbeing and stress, and neurocognition.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Stress, Psychological
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: nature based solution for stress reduction

Detailed Description

Participants of the intervention group follow a 30-minute stress management course in nature followed by a nature-based activity of 1.5 hours, twice a week for 3 consecutive weeks. The investigators measure neurocognition via neurocognitive tests, emotional status via burnout assessment tool and well-being questionnaires, and asses stress levels via salivary cortisol and smartwatches.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Michelle Plusquin; Phone Number: 003211268289; Email: michelle.plusquin@uhasselt.be

Study Locations

• Belgium
  • Limburg
    • Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium, 3590
      • Recruiting
      • Province of Limburg
      • Contact: Diana Clementa; Phone Number: 003211268289; Email: diana.clemente@uhasselt.be

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• work at province of Limburg speak dutch

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: group in nature; they participate in nature based-program during work hours	Other: nature based solution for stress reduction; participation in nature activities: 30 min stress management in nature and group activity (walking, cycling)
No Intervention: control group; they participate don't in nature based-program during work hours and perform their normal work schedule

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Neurocognition: selective attention	computerised tests (stroop test). The scale is mean reaction time and is used as a continuous variable.	5 minutes
Neurocognition: short-term memory	computerised tests (Digit Span Test). The scale is number of digits and is used as a continuous variable.	10 minutes
Neurocognition:visual information processing speed	computerised tests (Digit Symbol test). The scale is number of digits and is used as a continuous variable.	5 minutes
Neurocognition: visual information processing speed	computerised tests (Pattern Comparison test ). The scale is reaction time and is used as a continuous variable.	5 minutes
stress levels	Assessed by salivary cortisol levels. Scale is µg/dl and used as a continuous variable.	5 minutes
stress levels	Assessed by questionnaires (burnout assessment tool). Scores are used as continuous variable. Lower scores represent lower risk of burnout, higher scores represent higher risk of burnout. The score is constructed from questions concerning exhaustion, mental distance, emotional disorder and cognitive disorder.	10 minutes
stress levels	Assessed by smartwatch (algorithm including hart rate and movement). Values are used as continuous variable	3 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hasselt University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Michelle Plusquin, Hasselt University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Daniels S, Clemente DBP, Desart S, Saenen N, Sleurs H, Nawrot TS, Malina R, Plusquin M. Introducing nature at the work floor: A nature-based intervention to reduce stress and improve cognitive performance. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2022 Mar;240:113884. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113884. Epub 2021 Nov 27.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2019
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): November 1, 2019
• Study Completion (Anticipated): November 1, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 27, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 30, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): October 1, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 3, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 1, 2019
• Last Verified: October 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Occupational Diseases; Stress, Psychological; Occupational Stress
• Other Study ID Numbers: Nature_health

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No
• IPD Plan Description: Data will only be shared with postdoctoral researcher involved in this project in our research group. Data is pseudonymised .

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No