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Benefits of Outdoor Walks in Reducing Depressive Symptoms
NCT06989801 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether outdoor walking in different environments-urban or natural-can reduce depressive symptoms among college students. The study also tests whether providing prompts for active engagement during nature walks enhances the benefits compared to unstructured nature walks. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) urban walk, (2) nature walk, or (3) active nature walk with guided interaction. Each participant will walk for 30 minutes, twice a week, for 3 weeks, complete questionnaires, and participate in interviews. Our primary outcome (PHQ-9) will be used to test the following two primary hypotheses: * Hypothesis 1: Participants in both nature walk conditions (combined) will show greater reductions in depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) than those in the urban walk group. * Hypothesis 2: Participants in the active nature walk will show greater reductions than those in the regular nature walk.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- BEHAVIORAL Urban Walk
- BEHAVIORAL Nature Walk
- BEHAVIORAL Active Nature Walk
Study Locations (2)
Washington
- Condon Hall — Seattle
- Merrill Hall — Seattle
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 180 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-04-11 |
| Est. Completion | 2025-12-27 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06989801
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06989801 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 180 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is University of Washington, which has 987 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Depressive Symptoms appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 3 interventions — of which Urban Walk is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06989801 reports 2 study locations spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Washington. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06989801 about?
NCT06989801 is a clinical study titled "Benefits of Outdoor Walks in Reducing Depressive Symptoms". The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether outdoor walking in different environments-urban or natural-can reduce depressive symptoms among college students. The study also tests whether providing prompts for active engagement during nature walks enhances the benefits compared to unstruc...
What is the current status of trial NCT06989801?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 180 participants. The study started on 2025-04-11. Estimated completion is 2025-12-27.
What conditions does trial NCT06989801 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Depressive Symptoms. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06989801?
The interventions under investigation include: Urban Walk (BEHAVIORAL), Nature Walk (BEHAVIORAL), Active Nature Walk (BEHAVIORAL). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06989801?
This trial is sponsored by University of Washington, which has 987 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06989801 being conducted?
This trial has 2 study locations across Washington. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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