RecruitingNot Applicable

Effects of Brief Nature Exposure on Brain Functioning and Stress Reactivity

United States20 participantsStarted 2026-01-01

Plain-language summary

This study is focused on understanding the impact of time spent in nature (relative to an urban control) on stress, neural, and cardiac functioning in people experiencing high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 25 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Meets cut-off for high level of perceived stress on PSS-10 during screening (\>27 total score); Current or past depressive and anxiety disorders, if present on SCID-5 assessment, will be ncluded due to their high prevalence and overlap with perceived stress * Normal, or corrected to normal, vision (due to the visual nature of the EEG tasks) * If on psychotropic medication, stable regime for \> 1 month Exclusion Criteria: * Major medical conditions with CNS sequelae (e.g., seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, significant, uncontrolled cardiovascular pathology) Past or present neurological problems (including seizures and head trauma resulting in neurological or cognitive sequelae) * IQ estimate \<75 on the Test of Premorbid Functioning * Current or past history of severe mental illness (e.g., bipolar schizophrenia spectrum disorder, or current or past history of substance use disorders

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Brain functioning

Timeframe: ~1 hour after walking condition

Heart Rate Variability

Timeframe: ~ 1 hour after walking manipulaation

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07508800

SponsorNational Institutes of Health (NIH)

Sponsor typeNIH

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-06-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Stress (Psychology) trials

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 25 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.