Stress (Psychology)NCT07601360
Nature-based Outdoor Activities for Promoting Stress Resilience in Employees
A study testing Nature outdoor activities in people with Stress (Psychology), run by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
The goal of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to assess the impact of a nature-based workplace intervention on stress resilience in full-time employees in Hong Kong. The main question it aims to answer is: Does a nature-based group activity intervention improve stress resilience in employees? Researchers will… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Stress (Psychology)
- What is being tested?
- Nature outdoor activities
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 160 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 30 Sep 2025to 30 Mar 2026
- 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 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Over 18 years
- Full-time employees
Who cannot join
- part-time employees
- individuals employed for less than six months
- those with symptoms of heart disease
- participants over 65 years of age
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The goal of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to assess the impact of a nature-based workplace intervention on stress resilience in full-time employees in Hong Kong.
The main question it aims to answer is: Does a nature-based group activity intervention improve stress resilience in employees?
Read more
Researchers will compare the intervention group (participants who attend three nature-based group sessions) to the control group (participants who receive no intervention and continue their usual routines) to see if the nature-based activities lead to greater improvements in stress resilience compared to no intervention.
Participants will complete baseline measurements (questionnaires, blood pressure, and heart rate variability) one week before the first session.
If assigned to the intervention group: Attend three one-hour group sessions at a nearby park (once every two weeks, 8:00-9:00 AM) involving mindful walking, gentle movement, nature observation, breathing exercises, and group reflection
If assigned to the control group: Continue their usual daily routines with no specific activities
Complete follow-up assessments (same measurements as baseline): immediately after the second session and one week after the third session
Primary measurement: HRV Secondary measurements: Blood pressure, Perceived stress scale (PSS) and the Difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS).
Read the detailed description
Participants:
The participants of this study will be recruited from full-time employees at diverse corporate settings in Hong Kong. The sample size was determined using G*Power software. With a medium effect size (f = 0.25), an alpha level of 0.05, a desired power of 0.80, and a correlation among repeated measures of 0.50, the required total sample size was calculated to be 34. Accounting for an anticipated 20% attrition rate, the investigator aims to recruit 43 participants.
Study procedure:
This study uses a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the impact of the workplace intervention on stress resilience in employees. To ensure allocation concealment, randomization will be performed by a third party (a program instructor who was not involved in participant recruitment or outcome assessment). Participants and researchers will be blinded to group assignment. The experimental procedure will be explained to potential participants in a recruitment poster, which required them to send their informed consent before participating. All participants will be invited to complete baseline measurements one week before the start of the first intervention session. Baseline measurements will take approximately 15-20 mins. Once the participants complete the questionnaire, the investigator will ask them to measure BP and HRV. All measurements will be taken after a 5-minute rest period in a seated position with back support, feet flat on the floor, and no talking. Participants will complete follow-up assessments at three time points using the same measures as at baseline (T1): T2 (immediately after the second session) and T3 (one week after the third session).
- Conditions
- Stress (Psychology)
- Being tested
- Nature outdoor activities
- Keywords
- Nature-based outdoor activities, HRV
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Nature outdoor activitiesBehavioural
After randomization, participants in the intervention group will attend three group activity sessions, while those in the control group will receive no intervention and were instructed to continue their usual daily routines. The group activity sessions will be conducted at a nearby park for one hour each session (8:00-9:00 AM). Sessions will be held once every two weeks, for a total of three sessions. Each session will be contained various group activities, such as mindful walking, gentle movement, nature observation, breathing exercises and group reflection. These group activities led by facilitators aims to increase social interaction and nature exposure. Participants in the control group were not asked to attend specific activities.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor activity group | Experimental | Three days outdoor activity group Receives: Behavioral: Nature outdoor activities |
| No-treatment control group | No intervention | No specific activities required |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Heart rate variability (HRV)
HRV will be measured using SA-3000P (MEDICORE, Korea). The sensor is positioned with a strap around the fingertip of the middle finger on one of the participants hands. This study will use RMSSD (ms), SDNN (ms) and LF/HF ratio as HRV indicators to evaluate the stress response. In HRV analysis, higher RMSSD values indicate greater parasympathetic activity, reflecting relaxation and recovery. Similarly, Higher SDNN values indicate greater overall HRV, reflecting better autonomic nervous system flexibility. In contrast, higher LF/HF ratio values indicate sympathetic dominance, reflecting stress and arousal. This will be measured three times: at baseline (T1), immediately after the second session (T2), and one week after the third session (T3).
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
Blood pressure (BP)
BP will be measured using a digital automatic BP monitor (PASESA AVE-2000, Japan) with an arm cuff placed on the non-dominant arm at heart level. Normal systolic blood pressure (SBP) is defined as 120-139 mmHg, and normal diastolic blood pressure (DBP) as 80-89 mmHg. The incidence of elevated BP (SBP ≥140 mmHg or DBP ≥90 mmHg) in follow-up, rather than the diagnosis of hypertension, will be used as an outcome indicator of changes in stress levels. This will be measured three times: at baseline (T1), immediately after the second session (T2), and one week after the third session (T3).
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Perceived stress scale (PSS)
PSS measures the degree to which individuals perceive their lives as stressful. A total of 14 items (e.g., 'In the last three months, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly? '), each of which uses a Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often), are rated by participants. Higher score indicates higher stress levels. This will be measured three times: at baseline (T1), immediately after the second session (T2), and one week after the third session (T3).
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS)
DERS assesses emotion regulation problems. A total of 18 items (e.g., 'I have difficulty making sense out of my feelings') are rated by participants using a Likert scale ranging from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always). Higher scores indicate greater emotion regulation difficulties. This will be measured three times: at baseline (T1), immediately after the second session (T2), and one week after the third session (T3).
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 May 2026
- Study start30 Sep 2025
- Primary completion30 Oct 2025
- Study completion30 Mar 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Stress (Psychology)Studies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, EUN YEONG CHOE, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
- Investigators
- Eun Yeong Choe, PhD, Principal investigator, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07601360
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CUHKShenzhen_2
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 8 May 2026
- Last updated
- 22 May 2026
- 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 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Nature-based Outdoor Activities for Promoting Stress Resilience in Employees
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07601360
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CUHKShenzhen_2
- Conditions
- Stress (Psychology)
- Keywords
- Nature-based outdoor activities, HRV
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShenzhenUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Mar 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 May 2026 (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 controlled trial (RCT) is to assess the impact of a nature-based workplace intervention on stress resilience in full-time employees in Hong Kong.
The main question it aims to answer is: Does a nature-based group activity intervention improve stress resilience in employees?
Researchers will compare the intervention group (participants who attend three nature-based group sessions) to the control group (participants who receive no intervention and continue their usual routines) to see if the nature-based activities lead to greater improvements in stress resilience compared to no intervention.
Participants will complete baseline measurements (questionnaires, blood pressure, and heart rate variability) one week before the first session.
If assigned to the intervention group: Attend three one-hour group sessions at a nearby park (once every two weeks, 8:00-9:00 AM) involving mindful walking, gentle movement, nature observation, breathing exercises, and group reflection
If assigned to the control group: Continue their usual daily routines with no specific activities
Complete follow-up assessments (same measurements as baseline): immediately after the second session and one week after the third session
Primary measurement: HRV Secondary measurements: Blood pressure, Perceived stress scale (PSS) and the Difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS).
Detailed description
Participants:
The participants of this study will be recruited from full-time employees at diverse corporate settings in Hong Kong. The sample size was determined using G*Power software. With a medium effect size (f = 0.25), an alpha level of 0.05, a desired power of 0.80, and a correlation among repeated measures of 0.50, the required total sample size was calculated to be 34. Accounting for an anticipated 20% attrition rate, the investigator aims to recruit 43 participants.
Study procedure:
This study uses a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the impact of the workplace intervention on stress resilience in employees. To ensure allocation concealment, randomization will be performed by a third party (a program instructor who was not involved in participant recruitment or outcome assessment). Participants and researchers will be blinded to group assignment. The experimental procedure will be explained to potential participants in a recruitment poster, which required them to send their informed consent before participating. All participants will be invited to complete baseline measurements one week before the start of the first intervention session. Baseline measurements will take approximately 15-20 mins. Once the participants complete the questionnaire, the investigator will ask them to measure BP and HRV. All measurements will be taken after a 5-minute rest period in a seated position with back support, feet flat on the floor, and no talking. Participants will complete follow-up assessments at three time points using the same measures as at baseline (T1): T2 (immediately after the second session) and T3 (one week after the third session).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor activity group | Experimental | Behavioral: Nature outdoor activitiesThree days outdoor activity group |
| No-treatment control group | No intervention | –No specific activities required |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Over 18 years
- Full-time employees
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- part-time employees
- individuals employed for less than six months
- those with symptoms of heart disease
- participants over 65 years of age
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nature outdoor activitiesAfter randomization, participants in the intervention group will attend three group activity sessions, while those in the control group will receive no intervention and were instructed to continue their usual daily routines. The group activity sessions will be conducted at a nearby park for one hour each session (8:00-9:00 AM). Sessions will be held once every two weeks, for a total of three sessions. Each session will be contained various group activities, such as mindful walking, gentle movement, nature observation, breathing exercises and group reflection. These group activities led by facilitators aims to increase social interaction and nature exposure. Participants in the control group were not asked to attend specific activities. | Behavioural | Outdoor activity group |
Primary outcome
Heart rate variability (HRV)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
HRV will be measured using SA-3000P (MEDICORE, Korea). The sensor is positioned with a strap around the fingertip of the middle finger on one of the participants hands. This study will use RMSSD (ms), SDNN (ms) and LF/HF ratio as HRV indicators to evaluate the stress response. In HRV analysis, higher RMSSD values indicate greater parasympathetic activity, reflecting relaxation and recovery. Similarly, Higher SDNN values indicate greater overall HRV, reflecting better autonomic nervous system flexibility. In contrast, higher LF/HF ratio values indicate sympathetic dominance, reflecting stress and arousal. This will be measured three times: at baseline (T1), immediately after the second session (T2), and one week after the third session (T3).
3 secondary outcomes
Blood pressure (BP)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Perceived stress scale (PSS)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
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 May 2026.
- 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.
Eun Yeong Choe, PhD principal investigator
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Nature outdoor activities in people with Stress (Psychology), run by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen at 1 site in Hong Kong.
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 2 inclusion and 4 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 May 2026. 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 Hong Kong. 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?
Heart rate variability (HRV) (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks). 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 May 2026.