A Nature-based Physical Activity Therapy Group for College Students

Development of a Nature-based Physical Activity Toolkit for University Counseling Centers

This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a nature-based physical activity group delivered by K-State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for students experiencing depression and anxiety.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Depression and Anxiety Symptom
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Moving Naturally Through Challenges group therapy

Detailed Description

For this study, our research team partnered with two CAPS therapists to develop a new therapy group called Moving Naturally Through Challenges, which focused on nature-based physical activity as a tool for managing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Prior to group implementation, the researchers and therapists collaborated to develop a detailed implementation handbook with weekly lesson plans for the eight group therapy sessions. Next, we conducted a 2-hour training workshop with all CAPS staff to familiarize them with the content and empower them to refer students to the group.

This intervention was delivered as part of group therapy services offered by CAPS. Students seeking services at CAPS whose primary presenting concerns were depression and/or anxiety were encouraged to consider joining the Moving Naturally group. Interested students attended a 30-minute pre-group screening meeting with the group facilitators to ensure it was a good fit for their needs, and then signed a consent form to formalize their enrollment in the study.

The therapy group ran during the spring semester for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 1.5 hours, and included a weekly discussion topic, applied activities for students (e.g., goal setting and planning), and 30 minutes of nature-based physical activity. Activities included walking, hiking, yoga, outdoor games, resistance training, and sport-based activities that were moderate in intensity. Each participant received a Fitbit, yoga mat, resistance band, and water bottle to bring to each session. The group facilitators received training in group fitness instruction prior to leading the group sessions.

To assess changes in mental health outcomes, all students completed the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms upon intake at CAPS, and again upon completion of the therapy group. In addition, students rated their enjoyment of each group therapy session using the Group Session Rating Scale. Participants were asked to wear their Fitbit 24/7 (except when charging) throughout the 8-week duration of the study, and our research team is able to access their data using the Fitabase platform. Additional data and feedback were collected from the therapists who attended the training and facilitated the group.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 6
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

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

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Attends an intake session at CAPS
• Passes the pre-group screening (therapist and client agree that group is a good fit for student's needs)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical condition that prevents safe participation in physical activity (assessed via ACSM risk screener)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention; Received the Moving Naturally Through Challenges group therapy intervention	Behavioral: Moving Naturally Through Challenges group therapy; The intervention included 8 weeks of group therapy. Each session was 90 minutes and incorporated 30 minutes of nature-based physical activity and 60 minutes of traditional group therapy with content focused on managing anxiety.; Other Names: nature-based physical activity therapy group

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Attendance	The percentage of total group therapy sessions participants attended	Weekly across the 8-week intervention
Group enjoyment and satisfaction	Assessed using the Group Session Rating Scale. Each of the 6 items is rated on a scale from 0-10, with higher scores indicating higher group enjoyment and satisfaction with group relationships, topics, approach, activity, skills, and overall.	Weekly across the 8-week therapy group

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Depression and anxiety	Measured via the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS). The depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety subscales are scored on a scale from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater depression and anxiety.	Baseline and week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kansas State University
• Collaborators: Frontiers Clinical & Translational Science Institute

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): June 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 26, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 2, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 10, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 2, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: physical activity; anxiety; college students; nature; group therapy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB-12065

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: Data is private health information.

Drug and device information, study documents

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