Mobility LimitationNCT05975476
Comparison of Two Park-Based Activities on Emotional Well-Being in Adults With Mobility Impairments
A study testing Physical Activity and Sensory Engagement in people with Mobility Limitation and Physical Disability, run by University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Trial summary
This study will examine the impact of a 10-week crossover urban park intervention on the emotional well-being of people with mobility impairments. Outcomes between 5 weeks of sensory engagement activity (i.e., enjoy sights, sounds; primarily sedentary) and 5 weeks of physical activity (i.e., wheeling/walking on trail)… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Mobility Limitation, Physical Disability
- What is being tested?
- Physical Activity and Sensory Engagement
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 10 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Sep 2026to Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- (1) ages between 18 and 60 years
- (2) non-progressive mobility impairment who use a manual wheelchair (e.g., SCI, transverse myelitis, amputation, spina bifida)
- (3) able to propel a manual wheelchair outdoors on even terrain independently
- (4) commit to complete the 5-week park visit program in both Fall and Spring seasons.
Who cannot join
- (1) bald or not willing to donate a hair sample
- (2) weekly park visit to an urban park during the last 3 months
- (3) weekly moderate intensity exercise regimen during the last 3 months
- (4) having an endocrine disorder (that can affect cortisol levels
- (5) taking oral corticosteroids
- (6) receiving hormonal therapy
Show all 9Show fewer
- (7) unstable medical condition that prevents outdoor moderate intensity activity
- (8) inadequate comprehension and verbal communication in English (i.e., inability to express basic needs, participate in measurement of outcomes, or provide consent to participate in the study)
- (9) visual impairment that cannot be corrected using assistive devices
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Jie Gao, PhD contact
About this study
Official title: Comparison of Two Park-Based Activities to Improve Emotional Well-Being and Reduce Stress of Adults With Mobility Impairments
This study will examine the impact of a 10-week crossover urban park intervention on the emotional well-being of people with mobility impairments. Outcomes between 5 weeks of sensory engagement activity (i.e., enjoy sights, sounds; primarily sedentary) and 5 weeks of physical activity (i.e., wheeling/walking on trail) while in the park will be compared.
Read the detailed description
Urban parks promote various forms of recreational activity and are recognized as an effective means to promote both physical and mental health. People with impaired mobility, however, are severely underrepresented in available studies on urban parks, Given the high incidence of secondary conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, obesity) experienced by adults with disabilities, this study aims to use green space activities to promote better health. This study will examine the impact of a 10-week crossover urban park intervention on the emotional well-being of people with mobility impairments, and compare outcomes between 5 weeks of sensory engagement activity (i.e., enjoy sights, sounds; primarily sedentary) and 5 weeks of physical activity (i.e., wheeling/walking on trail) while in the park.
This project addresses the disparities in mental health and emotional well-being experienced by individuals with mobility impairments. Findings from this project will serve as a first step to better understanding the impact of nature-based urban park interventions and will provide guidance for development of alternative preventive and therapeutic strategies to promote emotional health for people with mobility impairments. Greater insight into the mental health benefits of green space exposure among people with mobility impairments is needed to encourage community and workplace development of local and neighborhood green spaces with easy access by all.
Once an individual agrees to participate, meets all study eligibility criteria, and signs the informed consent, baseline information including demographics, and a hair sample will be collected. The participant will then scheduled to complete the 10-week park visit program. At the beginning and end of each phase (physical activity; sensory engagement), the RA will collect a hair sample (~200 strands) from the participant. For each park visit, participants will meet a research assistant (RA) at the park entrance. The RA will collect pre-park visit data which includes having the participant complete two surveys and donate a small amount (~2 ml) of saliva.
During the first park visit the RA will review park procedures, open an envelope to reveal the participant's group assignment, and will lead the participant to a designated staging area inside the park. Each participant will wear a Garmin activity monitor on their wrist, which will record participant's physical activity-related data. A global positioning system (GPS) logger will be attached to the participant's wheelchair to track their location in the park and adherence to the protocol. The RA will record the date and time as the participant starts the protocol. The RA will be positioned to monitor the participant during the session.
For participants assigned to the physical activity (PA) group, the RA will provide the following instructions: Please continuously move at a moderate pace along this trail for 30 minutes, with limited rest periods as needed. At the end of 30 minutes I will meet you here. Please turn off your cell phone during this time.
For the sensory engagement activity (SEA) group, the instructions are: Please relax and stay within this area, enjoy the scenery and engage your senses (see, touch, smell, and listen to nature around you). You can practice meditation, mindfulness, and daydreaming. At the end of 30 minutes I will meet you here. Please turn off your cell phone during this time.
The RA will record the time when the participant completes the 30 minute protocol. The participant will then complete the same surveys used before their park visit, and will provide a rating of their perceived exertion and level of enjoyment during the session. The RA will then ask the participant to provide a saliva sample as was done before the park visit.
While waiting for the participant to complete the protocol, the RA will use an outdoor thermometer and hygrometer to record the current weather conditions (temperature and humidity and sunny, partly sunny, cloudy, or drizzling), and environmental noise levels in the park activity area.
- Conditions
- Mobility Limitation, Physical Disability
- Being tested
- Physical Activity, Sensory Engagement
- Medical subject headings
- Mobility Limitation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Physical ActivityBehavioural
Participants will be asked to continuously move at a moderate pace along a park trail for 30 minutes, with limited rest periods. The research assistant will monitor the person while in the park and the participant will be asked to turn off their cell phone during this time.
Sensory EngagementBehavioural
Participants will be asked to stay within a specific area of the park, relax and enjoy the scenery and engage their senses (see, touch, smell, and listen to nature). In addition, the participant will be told they can engage in meditation, mindfulness, and daydreaming. The research assistant will monitor the person while in the park and the participant will be asked to turn off their cell phone during this time.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Activity | Experimental | Individuals in this group will wheel on a paved trail within the park for 30 minutes 2 times per week for 5 weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Physical Activity |
| Sensory Engagement | Experimental | Individuals in this group will sit comfortably in a peaceful area of the park and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature for 30 minutes 2 times per week for 5 weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Sensory Engagement |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Emotional Stress - Hair
A total of about 200 strands of hair will be cut from different parts of the scalp.
Measured: Baseline PA, End of PA Intervention, Baseline SEA, End of SEA Intervention
Emotional Stress - Saliva
Each participant will be instructed to drool ~1.0 ml of saliva into a vial.
Measured: Before Each Park Visit, End of Each Park Visit
Secondary outcomes (2)
Subjective Well-Being (SWLS)
Satisfaction with Life Scale, 5 survey questions
Measured: Before Each Park Visit, End of Each Park Visit
Subjective Well-Being (PANAS)
Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule, 20 survey questions
Measured: Before Each Park Visit, End of Each Park Visit
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Aug 2023
- Study startSep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionJun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Mobility LimitationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Alabama at BirminghamThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Laurie A Malone, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Investigators
- Laurie Malone, PhD, Principal investigator, The University of Alabama at Birmingham
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05975476
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-300010981
- Other IDs
- Internal grant
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Jul 2023
- Last updated
- 23 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Given that this is a feasibility study no plans have been made to share the data with other researchers beyond that what is published.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Two Park-Based Activities to Improve Emotional Well-Being and Reduce Stress of Adults With Mobility Impairments
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05975476
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-300010981
- Conditions
- Mobility Limitation, Physical Disability
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alabama at BirminghamUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will examine the impact of a 10-week crossover urban park intervention on the emotional well-being of people with mobility impairments. Outcomes between 5 weeks of sensory engagement activity (i.e., enjoy sights, sounds; primarily sedentary) and 5 weeks of physical activity (i.e., wheeling/walking on trail) while in the park will be compared.
Detailed description
Urban parks promote various forms of recreational activity and are recognized as an effective means to promote both physical and mental health. People with impaired mobility, however, are severely underrepresented in available studies on urban parks, Given the high incidence of secondary conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, obesity) experienced by adults with disabilities, this study aims to use green space activities to promote better health. This study will examine the impact of a 10-week crossover urban park intervention on the emotional well-being of people with mobility impairments, and compare outcomes between 5 weeks of sensory engagement activity (i.e., enjoy sights, sounds; primarily sedentary) and 5 weeks of physical activity (i.e., wheeling/walking on trail) while in the park.
This project addresses the disparities in mental health and emotional well-being experienced by individuals with mobility impairments. Findings from this project will serve as a first step to better understanding the impact of nature-based urban park interventions and will provide guidance for development of alternative preventive and therapeutic strategies to promote emotional health for people with mobility impairments. Greater insight into the mental health benefits of green space exposure among people with mobility impairments is needed to encourage community and workplace development of local and neighborhood green spaces with easy access by all.
Once an individual agrees to participate, meets all study eligibility criteria, and signs the informed consent, baseline information including demographics, and a hair sample will be collected. The participant will then scheduled to complete the 10-week park visit program. At the beginning and end of each phase (physical activity; sensory engagement), the RA will collect a hair sample (~200 strands) from the participant. For each park visit, participants will meet a research assistant (RA) at the park entrance. The RA will collect pre-park visit data which includes having the participant complete two surveys and donate a small amount (~2 ml) of saliva.
During the first park visit the RA will review park procedures, open an envelope to reveal the participant's group assignment, and will lead the participant to a designated staging area inside the park. Each participant will wear a Garmin activity monitor on their wrist, which will record participant's physical activity-related data. A global positioning system (GPS) logger will be attached to the participant's wheelchair to track their location in the park and adherence to the protocol. The RA will record the date and time as the participant starts the protocol. The RA will be positioned to monitor the participant during the session.
For participants assigned to the physical activity (PA) group, the RA will provide the following instructions: Please continuously move at a moderate pace along this trail for 30 minutes, with limited rest periods as needed. At the end of 30 minutes I will meet you here. Please turn off your cell phone during this time.
For the sensory engagement activity (SEA) group, the instructions are: Please relax and stay within this area, enjoy the scenery and engage your senses (see, touch, smell, and listen to nature around you). You can practice meditation, mindfulness, and daydreaming. At the end of 30 minutes I will meet you here. Please turn off your cell phone during this time.
The RA will record the time when the participant completes the 30 minute protocol. The participant will then complete the same surveys used before their park visit, and will provide a rating of their perceived exertion and level of enjoyment during the session. The RA will then ask the participant to provide a saliva sample as was done before the park visit.
While waiting for the participant to complete the protocol, the RA will use an outdoor thermometer and hygrometer to record the current weather conditions (temperature and humidity and sunny, partly sunny, cloudy, or drizzling), and environmental noise levels in the park activity area.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Activity | Experimental | Behavioral: Physical ActivityIndividuals in this group will wheel on a paved trail within the park for 30 minutes 2 times per week for 5 weeks. |
| Sensory Engagement | Experimental | Behavioral: Sensory EngagementIndividuals in this group will sit comfortably in a peaceful area of the park and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature for 30 minutes 2 times per week for 5 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- (1) ages between 18 and 60 years
- (2) non-progressive mobility impairment who use a manual wheelchair (e.g., SCI, transverse myelitis, amputation, spina bifida)
- (3) able to propel a manual wheelchair outdoors on even terrain independently
- (4) commit to complete the 5-week park visit program in both Fall and Spring seasons.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- (1) bald or not willing to donate a hair sample
- (2) weekly park visit to an urban park during the last 3 months
- (3) weekly moderate intensity exercise regimen during the last 3 months
- (4) having an endocrine disorder (that can affect cortisol levels
- (5) taking oral corticosteroids
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Physical ActivityParticipants will be asked to continuously move at a moderate pace along a park trail for 30 minutes, with limited rest periods. The research assistant will monitor the person while in the park and the participant will be asked to turn off their cell phone during this time. | Behavioural | Physical Activity |
| Sensory EngagementParticipants will be asked to stay within a specific area of the park, relax and enjoy the scenery and engage their senses (see, touch, smell, and listen to nature). In addition, the participant will be told they can engage in meditation, mindfulness, and daydreaming. The research assistant will monitor the person while in the park and the participant will be asked to turn off their cell phone during this time. | Behavioural | Sensory Engagement |
Primary outcome
Emotional Stress - Hair
Time frame: Baseline PA, End of PA Intervention, Baseline SEA, End of SEA Intervention
A total of about 200 strands of hair will be cut from different parts of the scalp.
Emotional Stress - Saliva
Time frame: Before Each Park Visit, End of Each Park Visit
Each participant will be instructed to drool ~1.0 ml of saliva into a vial.
2 secondary outcomes
Subjective Well-Being (SWLS)
Time frame: Before Each Park Visit, End of Each Park Visit
Subjective Well-Being (PANAS)
Time frame: Before Each Park Visit, End of Each Park Visit
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Given that this is a feasibility study no plans have been made to share the data with other researchers beyond that what is published.
Related trials for Mobility Limitation
Active, not recruiting
Comparative Effects of Cyriax Approach With and Without Mobilization With Movement in Shoulder Restriction With Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training With and Without Hip Abductor Strengthening in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.(BFR)
Knee Osteoarthritis
Active, not recruiting
Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization for Pain, Strength, Range of Motion, and Kinesiophobia Among ACL Reconstruction Patients.
ACL Reconstruction
Active, not recruiting
Randomized Clinical Trial to Improve Mobility After Hospitalization
Hypertension, Diabetes
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Effects of External Upper Limb Loading on Gait and Trunk Muscle Activity in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients
Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiac Rehabilitation
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Jie Gao, PhD contact
Laurie Malone, PhD principal investigator
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Physical Activity and Sensory Engagement in people with Mobility Limitation and Physical Disability, run by University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Laurie Malone, PhD (1-205-934-1876, lamalone@uab.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Emotional Stress - Hair (time frame: Baseline PA, End of PA Intervention, Baseline SEA, End of SEA Intervention). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Jan 2026.