Spiritual Well-beingNCT06365736
The Effect of a Contemplative Nature-based Intervention on Spiritual Well-being
A study testing Contemplating in nature in people with Spiritual Well-being and Healthy, run by University of Twente at 1 site in Netherlands.
Trial summary
The goal of this randomized control trial is to test if contemplating in nature could benefit spiritual well-being in general adults. The main question it aims to answer is: Does a 2-week contemplative nature intervention improve spiritual well-being? Participants in the intervention condition will walk for 10 minutes… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Spiritual Well-being, Healthy
- What is being tested?
- Contemplating in nature
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 41 participants
- Where
- 1 siteNetherlands
- Study dates
- 10 May 2024to 4 Sep 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- is 18 years or older;
- has access to a nearby natural environment for walking and sitting activities such as a forest, park, or walking area;
- possesses the physical ability to walk for half an hour;
- has access to a computer or tablet with a stable internet connection and an email address;
- is willing to commit half an hour to engage in nature walks 10 times over 14 days.
Who cannot join
- NA.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of a Contemplative Nature-based Intervention on Spiritual Well-being: a Randomized Controlled Trial
The goal of this randomized control trial is to test if contemplating in nature could benefit spiritual well-being in general adults. The main question it aims to answer is:
Does a 2-week contemplative nature intervention improve spiritual well-being?
Participants in the intervention condition will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers, or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes.
- Conditions
- Spiritual Well-being, Healthy
- Being tested
- Contemplating in nature
- Keywords
- nature-based interventions, spiritual well-being, contemplate
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Contemplating in natureBehavioural
Also called contemplative nature-based interventions
Participants will spend 30 minutes in nature per day for 10 times over 14 days.
Each time, participants will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Contemplative nature intervention | Experimental | Participants will spend 30 minutes in nature per day for 10 times over 14 days. Participants will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers, or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes. Receives: Behavioral: Contemplating in nature |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)
On a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (to a very high degree), respondents rate in how far they think specific statements about spiritual well-being apply to themselves. Higher scores indicate higher scores of spiritual well-being.
Measured: Change from baseline to post-intervention at 2 weeks.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)
On a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (to a very high degree), respondents rate in how far they think specific statements about spiritual well-being apply to themselves. Higher scores indicate higher scores of spiritual well-being.
Measured: Change from Baseline to Short-term follow-up at 1 month.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)
On a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (to a very high degree), respondents rate in how far they think specific statements about spiritual well-being apply to themselves. Higher scores indicate higher scores of spiritual well-being.
Measured: Change from baseline to longer-term follow-up at 3 months.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES)
The non-theistic items from DSES will be used. Ranging from 1 (multiple times a day) to 6 (never). The item responses were reverse coded prior to analysis so that larger values would reflect a higher level of daily spiritual experiences.
Measured: Change from baseline to post-intervention at 2 weeks.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES)
The non-theistic items from DSES will be used. Ranging from 1 (multiple times a day) to 6 (never). The item responses were reverse coded prior to analysis so that larger values would reflect a higher level of daily spiritual experiences.
Measured: Change from baseline to short-term follow-up at 1 month.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES)
The non-theistic items from DSES will be used. Ranging from 1 (multiple times a day) to 6 (never). The item responses were reverse coded prior to analysis so that larger values would reflect a higher level of daily spiritual experiences.
Measured: Change from baseline to longer-term follow-up at 3 months.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Apr 2024
- Study start10 May 2024
- Primary completion4 Sep 2024
- Study completion4 Sep 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Spiritual Well-beingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 41 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Twente
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Xingjian Ruan, University of Twente
- Investigators
- Ernst Bohlmeijer, Prof. Dr., Principal investigator, University of Twente
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06365736
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 240310
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 5 Apr 2024
- Last updated
- 22 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of a Contemplative Nature-based Intervention on Spiritual Well-being: a Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06365736
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 240310
- Conditions
- Spiritual Well-being, Healthy
- Keywords
- nature-based interventions, spiritual well-being, contemplate
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 41 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of TwenteUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 May 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 4 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 4 Sep 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Apr 2024 (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.
The goal of this randomized control trial is to test if contemplating in nature could benefit spiritual well-being in general adults. The main question it aims to answer is:
Does a 2-week contemplative nature intervention improve spiritual well-being?
Participants in the intervention condition will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers, or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Contemplative nature intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Contemplating in natureParticipants will spend 30 minutes in nature per day for 10 times over 14 days. Participants will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers, or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- is 18 years or older;
- has access to a nearby natural environment for walking and sitting activities such as a forest, park, or walking area;
- possesses the physical ability to walk for half an hour;
- has access to a computer or tablet with a stable internet connection and an email address;
- is willing to commit half an hour to engage in nature walks 10 times over 14 days.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- NA.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Contemplating in natureAlso: contemplative nature-based interventionsParticipants will spend 30 minutes in nature per day for 10 times over 14 days. Each time, participants will walk for 10 minutes and then choose a nice spot to sit for 10 minutes. During these minutes they will be asked to be silently present and observe trees, plants, flowers or other aspects of nature and contemplate their connectedness to nature and their own awareness. Then walk back 10 minutes. | Behavioural | Contemplative nature intervention |
Primary outcome
Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)
Time frame: Change from baseline to post-intervention at 2 weeks.
On a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (to a very high degree), respondents rate in how far they think specific statements about spiritual well-being apply to themselves. Higher scores indicate higher scores of spiritual well-being.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)
Time frame: Change from Baseline to Short-term follow-up at 1 month.
On a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (to a very high degree), respondents rate in how far they think specific statements about spiritual well-being apply to themselves. Higher scores indicate higher scores of spiritual well-being.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)
Time frame: Change from baseline to longer-term follow-up at 3 months.
On a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (to a very high degree), respondents rate in how far they think specific statements about spiritual well-being apply to themselves. Higher scores indicate higher scores of spiritual well-being.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES)
Time frame: Change from baseline to post-intervention at 2 weeks.
The non-theistic items from DSES will be used. Ranging from 1 (multiple times a day) to 6 (never). The item responses were reverse coded prior to analysis so that larger values would reflect a higher level of daily spiritual experiences.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES)
Time frame: Change from baseline to short-term follow-up at 1 month.
The non-theistic items from DSES will be used. Ranging from 1 (multiple times a day) to 6 (never). The item responses were reverse coded prior to analysis so that larger values would reflect a higher level of daily spiritual experiences.
Spiritual well-being assessed by Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES)
Time frame: Change from baseline to longer-term follow-up at 3 months.
The non-theistic items from DSES will be used. Ranging from 1 (multiple times a day) to 6 (never). The item responses were reverse coded prior to analysis so that larger values would reflect a higher level of daily spiritual experiences.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Ernst Bohlmeijer, Prof. Dr. principal investigator
University of Twente
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Contemplating in nature in people with Spiritual Well-being and Healthy, run by University of Twente at 1 site in Netherlands.
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 5 inclusion and 1 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Netherlands. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Spiritual well-being assessed by Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF) (time frame: Change from baseline to post-intervention at 2 weeks.). The study lists 6 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 22 Sep 2025.