Stress, PsychologicNCT06614517
Bird Watching to Reduce Stress in University Students
A study testing Birdwatching Intervention in people with Stress, Psychologic, run by Universidad Industrial de Santander at 2 sites in Colombia.
Trial summary
The goal of this study is to learn if birdwatching can reduce stress in university students. It will also explore students; experiences with the intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does birdwatching reduce students perceived stress levels? What are the experiences of students who participate in the… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 100 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Stress, Psychologic
- What is being tested?
- Birdwatching Intervention
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 102 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesColombia
- Study dates
- 10 Feb 2025to 1 Dec 2025
- 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 to 100 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- University students who meet the following inclusion criteria will be included in the study: being 18 years of age or older, being enrolled in any undergraduate program at the Universidad Industrial de Santander, having a score of 10 or higher on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and having access to WhatsApp.
Who cannot join
- University students with a medical diagnosis of any mental illness under pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment, with health conditions that prevent them from seeing, hearing, or moving, as well as students who have engaged in birdwatching in the last six months, will not be included.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
Colombia2 sites
Universidad Industrial de Santander
Bucaramanga, Santander Department, 680002
Universidad Industrial de Santander
Bucaramanga, Santander Department
About this study
Official title: EVALUATION OF BIRD WATCHING IN REDUCING STRESS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
The goal of this study is to learn if birdwatching can reduce stress in university students. It will also explore students; experiences with the intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does birdwatching reduce students perceived stress levels? What are the experiences of students who participate in the birdwatching intervention? Why do some students drop out of the study? Researchers will compare a group of students who participate in birdwatching outings to a control group that does not receive the intervention to determine if birdwatching is effective in reducing stress.
Read more
Participants will:
Either participate in birdwatching outings or be in a control group with no intervention Complete a perceived stress scale (PSS-10) to measure their stress levels Take part in semi-structured interviews to discuss their experiences with the intervention or their reasons for dropping out of the study
- Conditions
- Stress, Psychologic
- Being tested
- Birdwatching Intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Stress, Psychological
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Birdwatching InterventionOther
Description: Participants will attend three birdwatching sessions, where they will enjoy direct contact with nature in selected environments such as forests and farms. These outings will be guided by an expert, who will also introduce participants to the use of binoculars and tools for identifying the birds observed during the excursions. During the outings, participants will learn the body scan technique, which will help them focus on physical sensations without making judgments. This exercise will encourage them to pay attention to details such as muscle tension, temperature, or surface contact, allowing them to be more present and connected to their surroundings during the birdwatching sessions. In addition to the in-person outings, participants will receive digital materials via WhatsApp to complement the intervention.Birdwatching Intervention
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Birdwatching Intervention Arm | Experimental | The intervention arm will involve participants, divided into four subgroups, taking part in field trips for visual and auditory birdwatching. These trips will take place every 15 days over three sessions, guided by an expert in the subject. Students will be provided with binoculars and guidance on the use of apps to identify observed birds. Additionally, WhatsApp groups will be created for each subgroup, where videos and audios of birds will be shared, along with weekly challenges to reinforce exposure to the intervention. The outings will take place in natural environments such as coffee farms and forests near Bucaramanga. Receives: Other: Birdwatching Intervention |
| Control Arm | No intervention | The control group will not receive any intervention related to birdwatching. Participants in this group will continue with their usual activities without taking part in the field trips or complementary activities such as watching videos or listening to bird sounds. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Adherence to the intervention
To determine adherence to the intervention, the proportion of students who successfully completed the number of sessions and challenges outlined in the intervention protocol will be calculated, as well as the number of university students who dropped out of the intervention
Measured: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
The Perceived Stress Scale
Perceived Stress Scale: (PSS-10). This instrument measures the level of perceived stress during the last month. It consists of 10 questions with a five-option Likert-type response format. The score ranges from 0 to 40. A higher score indicates a higher level of perceived stress.
Measured: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7)
The GAD-7 is used to measure anxiety symptoms. It consists of 7 items, each rated on a scale from 0 to 3, with total scores ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.
Measured: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
The PHQ-9 is a self-report outcome questionnaire used to screen for depressive symptoms. It consists of 9 items. Responses are scored on a scale from 0 to 3, with total scores ranging from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate more severe depression.
Measured: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
It consists of 19 self-administered questions, rated on a scale from 0 to 3, generating an overall score from 0 to 21. Higher overall scores represent worse subjective sleep quality.
Measured: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Sep 2024
- Study start10 Feb 2025
- Primary completion30 Jun 2025
- Study completion1 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Stress, PsychologicStudies 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 102 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Industrial de Santander
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Leidy Johanna Rueda Díaz, Universidad Industrial de Santander
- Investigators
- LEIDY J RUEDA DÍAZ, PhD, Principal investigator, Universidad Industrial de Santander
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06614517
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 4217
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 23 Sep 2024
- Last updated
- 16 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: All IPD that underlie results in a publication
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- EVALUATION OF BIRD WATCHING IN REDUCING STRESS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06614517
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 4217
- Conditions
- Stress, Psychologic
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 102 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Industrial de SantanderUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 Sep 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 study is to learn if birdwatching can reduce stress in university students. It will also explore students; experiences with the intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does birdwatching reduce students perceived stress levels? What are the experiences of students who participate in the birdwatching intervention? Why do some students drop out of the study? Researchers will compare a group of students who participate in birdwatching outings to a control group that does not receive the intervention to determine if birdwatching is effective in reducing stress.
Participants will:
Either participate in birdwatching outings or be in a control group with no intervention Complete a perceived stress scale (PSS-10) to measure their stress levels Take part in semi-structured interviews to discuss their experiences with the intervention or their reasons for dropping out of the study
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Birdwatching Intervention Arm | Experimental | Other: Birdwatching InterventionThe intervention arm will involve participants, divided into four subgroups, taking part in field trips for visual and auditory birdwatching. These trips will take place every 15 days over three sessions, guided by an expert in the subject. Students will be provided with binoculars and guidance on the use of apps to identify observed birds. Additionally, WhatsApp groups will be created for each subgroup, where videos and audios of birds will be shared, along with weekly challenges to reinforce exposure to the intervention. The outings will take place in natural environments such as coffee farms and forests near Bucaramanga. |
| Control Arm | No intervention | –The control group will not receive any intervention related to birdwatching. Participants in this group will continue with their usual activities without taking part in the field trips or complementary activities such as watching videos or listening to bird sounds. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- University students who meet the following inclusion criteria will be included in the study: being 18 years of age or older, being enrolled in any undergraduate program at the Universidad Industrial de Santander, having a score of 10 or higher on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and having access to WhatsApp.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- University students with a medical diagnosis of any mental illness under pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment, with health conditions that prevent them from seeing, hearing, or moving, as well as students who have engaged in birdwatching in the last six months, will not be included.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Birdwatching InterventionDescription: Participants will attend three birdwatching sessions, where they will enjoy direct contact with nature in selected environments such as forests and farms. These outings will be guided by an expert, who will also introduce participants to the use of binoculars and tools for identifying the birds observed during the excursions. During the outings, participants will learn the body scan technique, which will help them focus on physical sensations without making judgments. This exercise will encourage them to pay attention to details such as muscle tension, temperature, or surface contact, allowing them to be more present and connected to their surroundings during the birdwatching sessions. In addition to the in-person outings, participants will receive digital materials via WhatsApp to complement the intervention.Birdwatching Intervention | Other | Birdwatching Intervention Arm |
Primary outcome
Adherence to the intervention
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
To determine adherence to the intervention, the proportion of students who successfully completed the number of sessions and challenges outlined in the intervention protocol will be calculated, as well as the number of university students who dropped out of the intervention
The Perceived Stress Scale
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group.
Perceived Stress Scale: (PSS-10). This instrument measures the level of perceived stress during the last month. It consists of 10 questions with a five-option Likert-type response format. The score ranges from 0 to 40. A higher score indicates a higher level of perceived stress.
3 secondary outcomes
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7)
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
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 16 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. All IPD that underlie results in a publication
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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.
LEIDY J RUEDA DÍAZ, PhD principal investigator
Universidad Industrial de Santander
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Birdwatching Intervention in people with Stress, Psychologic, run by Universidad Industrial de Santander at 2 sites in Colombia.
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 1 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 16 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Colombia. 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?
Adherence to the intervention (time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group). 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 16 Jun 2026.